Enhancement of conditioned place preference response to cocaine in rats following subchronic administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Synapse – February 01, 2000
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, significantly enhances the likelihood of developing a preference for cocaine. In a study with 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats, those treated with MDMA (20 mg/kg) twice daily for four days exhibited a marked increase in conditioned place preference (CPP) for cocaine compared to the control group. Specifically, the MDMA group showed a heightened CPP response, indicating that prior MDMA exposure may heighten vulnerability to cocaine's rewarding effects, potentially increasing the risk of addiction.
Abstract
In this study, we measured conditioned place preference (CPP) responses to cocaine following subchronic administration of the recreationally abused drug (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were given either vehicle (1 ml/kg of distilled water, s.c.) or MDMA (20 mg/kg, s.c.) twice a day for 4 consecutive days. Two weeks later, CPP responses to cocaine (5, 10, or 20 mg/kg, i.p.) were measured. The MDMA-treated animals showed a significantly greater CPP response to cocaine than the vehicle-treated animals. Since conditioned place preference is believed to be a measure of appetitive behavior, these results suggest that MDMA abuse could lead to an increased vulnerability to the rewarding actions of cocaine and, hence, to increased vulnerability to cocaine addiction and dependence.