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Influences of activity wheel access on the body temperature response to MDMA and methamphetamine
N W Gilpin1, M J Wright, G Dickinson
1Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Abstract:
Recreational ingestion of the drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") can result in pathologically elevated body temperature and even death in humans. Such incidents are relatively rare which makes it difficult to identify the relative contributions of specific environmental and situational factors. Although animal models have been used to explore several aspects of MDMA-induced hyperthermia and it is regularly hypothesized that prolonged physical activity (e.g., dancing) in the nightclub environment increases risk, this has never been tested directly. In this study the rectal temperature of male Wistar rats was monitored after challenge with doses of MDMA and methamphetamine (MA), another drug frequently ingested in the rave/nightclub environment, either with or without access to an activity wheel. Results showed that wheel activity did not modify the hyperthermia produced by 10.0mg/kg MDMA. However, individual correlations were observed in which wheel activity levels after a locomotor stimulant dose of MDMA were positively related to body temperature change and lethal outcome. A modest increase in the maximum body temperature observed after 5.6mg/kg MA was caused by wheel access but this was mostly attributable to a drop in temperature relative to vehicle treatment in the absence of wheel activity. These results suggest that nightclub dancing in the human Ecstasy consumer may not be a significant factor in medical emergencies.
Insights
Physical activity, like dancing, may not significantly increase the risk of hyperthermia from 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy"). Research suggests nightclub dancing might not be a major factor in MDMA-related medical emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Recreational 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy") use can cause dangerous hyperthermia and death.
- The role of physical activity, such as dancing in nightclub settings, in MDMA-induced hyperthermia is hypothesized but not directly tested.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of physical activity on MDMA and methamphetamine (MA) induced hyperthermia in a rodent model.
- To determine if voluntary wheel running modifies drug-induced changes in body temperature and lethality.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were administered MDMA or MA at specific doses.
- Rectal body temperature was monitored in rats with and without access to an activity wheel.
- Correlations between wheel activity, body temperature, and survival were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Wheel activity did not alter hyperthermia from a 10.0mg/kg MDMA dose.
- Individual correlations showed increased wheel activity with higher body temperature changes and lethality after a locomotor stimulant dose of MDMA.
- Wheel access caused a modest increase in maximum body temperature after 5.6mg/kg MA, largely due to a temperature drop without activity.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged physical activity, such as dancing, may not be a significant contributing factor to MDMA-related medical emergencies in humans.
- The study provides evidence against the common hypothesis linking nightclub dancing to increased risk of severe hyperthermia from MDMA use.
