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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Novel Apparatus and Method for Drug Reinforcement
Published on: August 20, 2010
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') serves as a robust positive reinforcer in a rat runway procedure
Gudrun Wakonigg1, Katja Sturm, Alois Saria
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Abstract:
Although 'ecstasy' (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA) is, after marijuana, the second most prevalent illegal drug of abuse in European adolescents, animal experimental evidence of MDMA's reinforcing effect has remained scarce, particularly in the rodent model, raising questions about the robustness of MDMA's reinforcing effect under controlled laboratory conditions. In the present rat runway study, Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans rats were given the opportunity to run for intravenous injections of saline or MDMA (1 mg/kg). MDMA significantly decreased runtimes in both rat strains. Thus, MDMA's positive reinforcing effect can be demonstrated not only across rat strains but also across operant conditioning paradigms. These findings should reassure the drug abuse research community that the investigation of MDMA's reinforcing effect in the inexpensive and widely used rodent model is indeed feasible.
Insights
Ecstasy, or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), shows reinforcing effects in rats. This study demonstrates MDMA
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
- Drug Abuse Research
Background:
- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, is a prevalent drug of abuse among adolescents.
- Limited animal experimental evidence exists for MDMA's reinforcing effects, especially in rodent models.
- This scarcity raises questions about the reliability of MDMA's reinforcing properties under controlled laboratory settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reinforcing effects of MDMA in a rodent model.
- To determine if MDMA's reinforcing effect is consistent across different rat strains.
- To validate the use of the rodent model for studying MDMA's abuse potential.
Main Methods:
- A rat runway study was conducted using Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans rats.
- Rats were given the option to run for intravenous injections of either saline or MDMA (1 mg/kg).
- Runtimes were measured to assess the behavioral response.
Main Results:
- MDMA administration significantly reduced running times in both Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans rats.
- These findings indicate a positive reinforcing effect of MDMA.
- The effect was observed consistently across different rat strains.
Conclusions:
- MDMA exhibits a positive reinforcing effect in rats, demonstrable across strains and conditioning paradigms.
- The rodent model is a feasible and effective tool for studying MDMA's reinforcing properties.
- These results support further investigation into the neurobiological mechanisms underlying MDMA's abuse potential.
