title: Modulatory effects of low-dose MDMA on cocaine-induced locomotor activity and place conditioning in rats.
abstract: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "Ecstasy") is commonly abused by humans in environments such as nightclubs and rave parties where other drugs of abuse are readily available. Despite the popularity of polysubstance abuse among recreational MDMA users, relatively few controlled experimental studies have documented the neurobehavioral effects of MDMA in combination with other abused substances. This study employed conditioned place preference procedures (CPP) to assess the locomotor activating and place conditioning effects of acute concurrent administration of MDMA (1.5 or 3.0 mg/kg) and cocaine (10 or 20 mg/kg) in rats. Results indicate that low dose MDMA can enhance the locomotor and conditioned rewarding effects of cocaine. These findings may have important implications for understanding the contribution of serotonergic-dopaminergic interactions in the abuse liability of MDMA when used in combination with cocaine or other psychostimulant drugs.
authors: Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA.
authors: John J
authors: JJ
authors: Panos
authors: Lisa E
authors: LE
authors: Baker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000633:toxicity; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000819:agonists* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003216:Conditioning, Operant; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000819:agonists* / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012201:Reward; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D006213:Hallucinogens; D018490:Serotonin Agents; D003042:Cocaine; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine