Is the Ecstasy-induced ipsilateral rotation in 6-hydroxydopamine unilaterally lesioned rats dopamine independent?
H B Lebsanft, A Mayerhofer, K-a Kovar, W J Schmidt
Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) July 1, 2003 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/s00702-003-0823-y via PubMed
Summary
MDMA and its derivatives were tested in male Sprague Dawley rats with Parkinson's-like symptoms, showing that all substances caused ipsilateral rotations, with MDA being the most effective. MDMA's effects were partially reduced by Citalopram but only slightly by PCPA, indicating that serotonin release does not fully explain the drug's impact. This suggests other mechanisms may be involved in MDMA's action against Parkinson's symptoms.
Study at a glance
| Population | male Sprague Dawley rats |
|---|---|
| Key finding | All substances induced ipsilateral rotations, with MDA being the most effective. |
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has recently been hypothesized to be effective against the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Therefore we tested the effects of MDMA-derivatives in the rotational behavioural model. Male Sprague Dawley rats were lesioned unilaterally with 6-hydroxydopamine at the medial forebrain bundle. MDMA was administered at doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, its derivatives N-Methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butananamine (MBDB), 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDE) and 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) at 5.0 mg/kg respectively. All substances induced ipsilateral rotations, MDA being the most effective. MDMA induced rotations were attenuated by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor Citalopram but were only slightly reduced by pre-treatment with the selective serotonin synthesis inhibitor PCPA (para-chlorophenylalanine). The effects of MDMA can therefore not fully be explained by serotonin release or by dopaminergic activity of the drugs.