title: MDMA ("ecstasy") impairs learning in the Morris Water Maze and reduces hippocampal LTP in young rats.
abstract: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), an important recreational psychostimulant drug, was examined for its ability to alter visuo-spatial learning and synaptic plasticity. Young rats received MDMA (0.2 and 2mg/kg s.c.) twice per day for 6 days while their visuo-spatial learning was tested using the Morris Water Maze. After this, animals were sacrificed and LTP induced in hippocampal slices. Visuo-spatial learning was impaired and LTP reduced, both dose-dependently, without changes in serotonin levels or paired-pulse facilitation. We conclude that low, nontoxic doses of MDMA, applied during several days, slow learning by impairing postsynaptic plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, University of Santiago de Chile, Chile.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arias-Cavieres
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rozas
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reyes-Parada
authors.forename: Nelson
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barrera
authors.forename: Floria
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pancetti
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loyola
authors.forename: Ramón A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Lorca
authors.forename: Marc L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zeise
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D056547:CA1 Region, Hippocampal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D013550:Swimming; D013997:Time Factors; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D012701:Serotonin; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine