PRECLINICAL STUDY: Atypical development of behavioural sensitization to 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘Ecstasy’) in adolescent rats and its expression in adulthood: role of the MDMA chirality
Addiction Biology January 1, 2010 Nora Von Ameln, Andreas Von Ameln‐mayerhofer 14 citations
Repeated treatment of adolescent rats with the drug MDMA (Ecstasy) or its S-enantiomer caused immediate massive hyperactivity and, after a short habituation period, led to behavioral sensitization—a heightened response to the drug over time. The R-enantiomer did not cause hyperactivity and even reduced movement with repeated doses, but when given together with the S-enantiomer it increased hyperactivity and made the sensitization state-dependent. Rats pretreated with R-MDMA showed a sensitized response in adulthood when later given the racemic mixture. These results indicate that even without substantial neurotoxicity, both MDMA enantiomers can cause long-term changes in brain circuitry and behavior when given repeatedly during adolescence.