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Development, maintenance and temporal pattern of self-administration maintained by ecstasy (MDMA) in rats
Susan Schenk1, David Gittings, Malcolm Johnstone
1School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand. susan.schenk@vuw.ac.nz
Psychopharmacology
|May 30, 2003
Summary
This study shows that laboratory rats will self-administer 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy"), indicating its abuse potential. Prior cocaine experience speeds up MDMA self-administration acquisition in rats.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Global 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; "ecstasy") use is rising.
- Limited research exists on MDMA's abuse liability.
- Animal models are crucial for predicting drug abuse potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acquisition and maintenance of MDMA self-administration in rats.
- To determine if prior cocaine self-administration experience influences MDMA acquisition.
- To assess the dose-dependency and temporal patterns of MDMA self-administration.
Main Methods:
- Rats (drug-naive and previously trained with cocaine) underwent MDMA self-administration sessions.
- Dose-response relationships and temporal patterns of responding were analyzed.
- MDMA self-administration was examined over 24-hour periods.
Main Results:
- Rats self-administered MDMA, regardless of prior cocaine experience.
- Cocaine-experienced rats acquired MDMA self-administration faster.
- MDMA self-administration was dose-dependent, extinguished with saline, and reinstated with MDMA.
Conclusions:
- Prior cocaine exposure facilitates MDMA self-administration acquisition in rats.
- MDMA demonstrates significant abuse liability in this animal model.
- Increasing MDMA use warrants concern for widespread chronic abuse potential.