Development and Characterization of a Novel Animal Model of Intermittent MDMA (“Ecstasy”) Exposure during Adolescence
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences October 1, 2008 Jerrold S. Meyer, Brian J. Piper, Valerie E. Vancollie 44 citations
Intermittent, moderate doses of MDMA given to adolescent rats, mimicking human weekend use, cause lasting memory deficits, increased impulsivity, and reduced sensitivity to a serotonin receptor challenge. Serotonin transporter fiber density decreased in the hippocampus but not the neocortex, indicating the hippocampus may be especially vulnerable. Treated animals also developed tolerance to a later MDMA binge, showing protection against neurotoxic and depressant effects. Plasma MDMA levels in the rats were comparable to those in heavy human ecstasy users when accounting for species differences in drug clearance.