title: Heat increases MDMA-enhanced NAcc 5-HT and body temperature, but not MDMA self-administration.
abstract: There is a concern that hot environments enhance adverse effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or "Ecstasy"). In this study, long-term (4-weeks) daily MDMA self-administration sessions and an MDMA Challenge test were conducted with rats under normal and high thermal conditions (23° or 32°C). During MDMA self-administration sessions, activity and body temperature were increased by heat or MDMA experience, while MDMA self-administration rates increased with experience, but were comparable between thermal conditions. At the MDMA Challenge test (3.0 mg/kg, i.v.), in vivo microdialysis showed that nucleus accumbens serotonin (NAcc 5-HT) and dopamine (DA) responses were significantly increased in both thermal conditions. In the heated environment, MDMA-stimulated 5-HT responses and core temperature (but not DA) were significantly greater than at room temperature. Though the heated environment did not acutely boost MDMA intake, exaggerated NAcc 5-HT responses to MDMA may result in 5-HT depletion; a condition associated with Ecstasy use escalation and neural dysfunctions altering mood and cognition.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas at Austin, PHAR-Pharmacology, 1 University Station A1915, Austin, TX 78712-0125, USA. allisonfeduccia@mail.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Allison A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Feduccia
authors.forename: Nundhun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kongovi
authors.forename: Christine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Duvauchelle
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006358:Hot Temperature; D008297:Male; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009714:Nucleus Accumbens / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012646:Self Administration; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine