Context‐dependent behavioural and neuronal sensitization in striatum to MDMA (ecstasy) administration in rats
European Journal of Neuroscience July 1, 2006 Kevin T. Ball, Daniel Budreau, George V. Rebec 40 citations
Repeated exposure to MDMA (ecstasy) produces a sensitized locomotor response in rats only when the drug is experienced in the same environment where the response is later tested. Recording from over 200 striatal neurons showed that sensitized rats had a decreased baseline firing rate in neurons later excited by MDMA, leading to a greater percentage increase from baseline on challenge day. This suggests that contextual associations are critical for the expression of behavioral sensitization to MDMA and that the striatum is involved in the neurobehavioral changes from repeated use.