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Effects of ambient temperature on the relative reinforcing strength of MDMA using a choice procedure in monkeys
Matthew L Banks1, Jon E Sprague, Paul W Czoty
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
Rationale:
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is frequently used in hot environments, such as rave parties. Studies in laboratory animals have shown that ambient temperature can alter the behavioral and neurochemical effects of MDMA.
Objective:
To examine the influence of ambient temperature on the relative reinforcing strength of MDMA and reinstatement of behavior previously maintained by MDMA is the objective of the study.
Methods:
The effects of cool (18 degrees C), room (24 degrees C), and warm (31 degrees C) temperatures were examined when MDMA was available under a concurrent fixed-ratio 30 schedule of MDMA (saline, 0.03-0.3 mg/kg/injection) and food choice in rhesus monkeys (n = 5). During saline substitutions, the effect of noncontingent MDMA (0.03-0.3 mg/kg) on response allocation was examined at each ambient temperature.
Results:
At room temperature, MDMA choice increased as a function of dose, such that food was preferred over a low MDMA dose (0.03 mg/kg/injection), whereas higher doses were preferred over food. Elevating the ambient temperature significantly increased the relative reinforcing strength of 0.03 mg/kg/injection MDMA, and lowering the ambient temperature significantly attenuated the choice of 0.1 mg/kg/injection MDMA. Noncontingent injections of MDMA administered before a session in which saline was the alternative to food dose-dependently increased injection-lever responding; this effect was not influenced by ambient temperature.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that ambient temperature can affect the relative reinforcing strength of MDMA, but not MDMA-induced reinstatement. Furthermore, these results suggest environmental strategies for decreasing the reinforcing strength of MDMA.
Insights
Ambient temperature significantly impacts the reinforcing effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy). Cooler temperatures decrease MDMA
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Environmental Health
Background:
- 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is commonly used in warm environments like parties.
- Laboratory studies indicate ambient temperature influences MDMA's behavioral and neurochemical effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how ambient temperature affects the reinforcing strength of MDMA.
- To examine MDMA's influence on the reinstatement of previously drug-maintained behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Rhesus monkeys (n=5) chose between MDMA (0.03-0.3 mg/kg) and food under a concurrent fixed-ratio schedule at cool (18°C), room (24°C), and warm (31°C) temperatures.
- Saline substitutions assessed noncontingent MDMA's effect on response allocation at each temperature.
Main Results:
- MDMA choice increased with dose at room temperature.
- Higher ambient temperatures amplified the reinforcing strength of low-dose MDMA (0.03 mg/kg).
- Lower ambient temperatures reduced the choice of a higher MDMA dose (0.1 mg/kg).
Conclusions:
- Ambient temperature modulates MDMA's reinforcing effects, but not its reinstatement properties.
- Environmental temperature manipulation may offer strategies to reduce MDMA's reinforcing strength.
