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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
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Reinstatement of Drug-seeking in Mice Using the Conditioned Place Preference Paradigm
Published on: June 7, 2018
MDMA reinstates cocaine-seeking behaviour in mice
José Manuel Trigo1, Maria Juliana Orejarena, Rafael Maldonado
1Laboratori de Neurofarmacologia, Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salud, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Calle Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain. jose.trigo@upf.edu
Summary
Acute 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) can trigger cocaine-seeking behavior in mice. This study investigated MDMA
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Monoaminergic systems mediate MDMA effects.
- These systems are implicated in cocaine craving and relapse.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of MDMA to reinstate cocaine-seeking behavior.
- To explore the role of MDMA in addiction relapse models.
Main Methods:
- Mice were trained to self-administer cocaine.
- An extinction procedure was employed, maintaining drug-associated cues.
- Extinguished mice received MDMA, d-amphetamine, or saline before reinstatement testing.
Main Results:
- Acute MDMA administration reinstated cocaine-seeking behavior.
- Neither d-amphetamine nor saline induced reinstatement.
- This occurred in mice with previously extinguished cocaine self-administration.
Conclusions:
- Acute MDMA can reinstate cocaine-seeking behavior in a mouse model.
- MDMA's pro-seeking effects warrant further investigation in addiction research.
