Comparison of the developmental effects of 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (Foxy) to (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) in rats.
Matthew R Skelton, Tori L Schaefer, Nicole R Herring, Curtis E Grace, Charles V Vorhees, Michael T Williams
Psychopharmacology June 1, 2009 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/s00213-009-1459-x via PubMed
Summary
Treatment with either MDMA or 5-MeO-DIPT from postnatal days 11 to 20 leads to cognitive deficits and behavioral changes in animals. MDMA-treated animals exhibited increased anxiety and deficits in spatial and path integration learning, while 5-MeO-DIPT-treated animals showed spatial learning deficits but no impairments in spatial memory or path integration learning. Additionally, 5-MeO-DIPT treatment resulted in hyperactivity when challenged with methamphetamine. The effects of these drugs on development are distinct.
Study at a glance
| Population | animals treated with MDMA, 5-MeO-DIPT, or saline |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Both MDMA and 5-MeO-DIPT treatments during development result in cognitive deficits and behavioral changes, but the specific patterns of these effects differ between the two drugs. |
Abstract
We have previously shown that (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) treatment from postnatal days (P)11 to P20 leads to learning and memory deficits when the animals are tested as adults. Recently, the club drug 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT) has gained popularity. Due to the similarities between MDMA and 5-MeO-DIPT and the substitution of 5-MeO-DIPT for MDMA, the purpose of this study was to compare the developmental effects of these drugs. Within a litter, animals were treated from P11 to P20 with either MDMA, 5-MeO-DIPT, or saline. MDMA-treated animals showed increased anxiety in a measure of defensive marble burying, as well as deficits in spatial and path integration learning. 5-MeO-DIPT-treated animals showed spatial learning deficits; however, there were no deficits observed in spatial memory or path integration learning. 5-MeO-DIPT-treated animals also showed hyperactivity in response to a challenge dose of methamphetamine. The results show that treatment with either 5-MeO-DIPT or MDMA during development results in cognitive deficits and other behavioral changes but the pattern of effects is distinct for each drug.