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The intriguing effects of ecstasy (MDMA) on cognitive function in mice subjected to a minimal traumatic brain injury
Shahaf Edut1, Vardit Rubovitch, Shaul Schreiber
1Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel. shahafed@post.tau.ac.il
Rationale:
The use of ecstasy (MDMA) among young adults has dramatically increased over the years. Since MDMA may impair the users' driving ability, the risk of being involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) is notably increased. Minimal traumatic brain injury (mTBI) a common consequence of MVAs-produces short- and long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments.
Objectives:
To investigate the effects of an acute dose of MDMA in mice subjected to closed head mTBI.
Methods:
Mice received 10 mg/kg MDMA 1 h prior to the induction of mTBI. Behavioral tests were conducted 7 and 30 days post-injury. In addition to the behavioral tests, phosphorylation of IGF-1R, ERK, and levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were measured.
Results:
mTBI mice showed major cognitive impairments in all cognitive tests conducted. No additional impairments were seen if mTBI was preceded by one dose of MDMA. On the contrary, a beneficial effect was seen in these mice. The western blot analysis of TH revealed a significant decrease in the mTBI mice. These decreases were reversed in mice that were subjected to MDMA prior to the trauma.
Conclusions:
The presence of MDMA at the time of mTBI minimizes the alteration of visual and spatial memory of the injured mice. The IGF-1R pathway was activated due to mTBI and MDMA but was not the main contributor to the cognitive improvements. MDMA administration inverted the TH decreases seen after injury. We believe this may be the major cause of the cognitive improvements seen in these mice.
Insights
Acute MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) administration before minimal traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in mice improved cognitive function and reversed decreases in tyrosine hydroxylase. This suggests MDMA may mitigate mTBI-induced cognitive deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Trauma Research
Background:
- Ecstasy (MDMA) use is rising among young adults, increasing motor vehicle accident (MVA) risks.
- Motor vehicle accidents frequently cause minimal traumatic brain injury (mTBI), leading to lasting impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine MDMA's effects on mice undergoing mTBI.
- To assess MDMA's impact on cognitive function and neurochemical changes post-mTBI.
Main Methods:
- Mice received MDMA (10 mg/kg) one hour before mTBI induction.
- Behavioral tests were performed 7 and 30 days post-injury.
- Levels of IGF-1R, ERK, and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- mTBI caused significant cognitive impairments in mice.
- MDMA pretreatment before mTBI did not worsen cognitive deficits and showed beneficial effects.
- MDMA reversed the mTBI-induced decrease in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH).
Conclusions:
- MDMA administration at the time of mTBI mitigated cognitive alterations, particularly in spatial and visual memory.
- While the IGF-1R pathway was activated, it wasn't the primary driver of cognitive improvement.
- MDMA's reversal of TH decreases is proposed as the main mechanism for cognitive recovery after mTBI.
