Age differences in (±) 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)‐induced conditioned taste aversions and monoaminergic levels
Developmental Psychobiology June 15, 2013 Jennifer L. Cobuzzi, Kayla Siletti, Zachary E. Hurwitz et al. 15 citations
Adolescent rats are less sensitive than adults to the aversive effects of MDMA, as measured by conditioned taste aversion. In the study, adolescent and adult Sprague-Dawley rats received subcutaneous injections of MDMA at doses of 0, 1.0, 1.8, or 3.2 mg/kg. Adolescents developed weaker taste aversions during acquisition and on a final two-bottle test. MDMA at these low doses did not consistently alter monoamine or metabolite levels in brain regions for either age group, though levels varied with age. The reduced sensitivity to MDMA's aversive effects in adolescents may increase their vulnerability to MDMA abuse.