title: MDMA self-administration fails to alter the behavioral response to 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) agonists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Regular use of the street drug, ecstasy, produces a number of cognitive and behavioral deficits. One possible mechanism for these deficits is functional changes in serotonin (5-HT) receptors as a consequence of prolonged 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-produced 5-HT release. Of particular interest are the 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) receptor subtypes since they have been implicated in several of the behaviors that have been shown to be impacted in ecstasy users and in animals exposed to MDMA.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the effect of extensive MDMA self-administration on behavioral responses to the 5-HT(1A) agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(n-dipropylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), and the 5-HT(1B/1A) agonist, RU 24969.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Sprague-Dawley rats self-administered a total of 350 mg/kg MDMA, or vehicle, over 20-58 daily self-administration sessions. Two days after the last self-administration session, the hyperactive response to 8-OH-DPAT (0.03-1.0 mg/kg) or the adipsic response to RU 24969 (0.3-3.0 mg/kg) were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  8-OH-DPAT dose dependently increased horizontal activity, but this response was not altered by MDMA self-administration. The dose-response curve for RU 24969-produced adipsia was also not altered by MDMA self-administration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive and behavioral deficits produced by repeated exposure to MDMA self-administration are not likely due to alterations in 5-HT(1A) or 5-HT(1B) receptor mechanisms.
authors: School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors: Dane
authors: D
authors: Aronsen
authors: School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand. Susan.schenk@vuw.ac.nz.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Schenk
mesh_terms: D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007211:Indoles; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C025145:5-methoxy 3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)1H indole; D017371:8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
keywords: 5-HT1A; 5-HT1B; 8-OH-DPAT; MDMA; RU 24969; Self-administration