title: Neurochemical substrates of the rewarding effects of MDMA: implications for the development of pharmacotherapies to MDMA dependence.
abstract: In recent years, studies with animal models of reward, such as the intracranial self-stimulation, self-administration, and conditioned place preference paradigms, have increased our knowledge on the neurochemical substrates of the rewarding effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymetamphetamine (MDMA) in rodents. However, pharmacological and neuroimaging studies with human participants are scarce. Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)], dopamine (DA), endocannabinoids, and endogenous opiates are the main neurotransmitter systems involved in the rewarding effects of MDMA in rodents, but other neurotransmitters such as glutamate, acetylcholine, adenosine, and neurotensin are also involved. The most important finding of recent research is the demonstration of differential involvement of specific neurotransmitter receptor subtypes (5-HT2, 5-HT3, DA D1, DA D2, CB1, μ and δ opioid, etc.) and extracellular proteins (DA and 5-HT transporters) in the acquisition, expression, extinction, and reinstatement of MDMA self-administration and conditioned place preference. It is important to extend the research on the effects of different compounds acting on these receptors/transporters in animal models of reward, especially in priming-induced, cue-induced, and stress-induced reinstatement. Increase in knowledge of the neurochemical substrates of the rewarding effects of MDMA may contribute to the design of new pharmacological treatments for individuals who develop MDMA dependence.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Research on Psychobiology of Drug Dependence, Department of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Concepción
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roger-Sánchez
authors.forename: María P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: García-Pardo
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Arias
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miñarro
authors.forename: María A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Aguilar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000378:metabolism; D012201:Reward; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine