Experience-dependent changes in temperature and behavioral activity induced by MDMA
María E. Reverón, Esther Y. Maier, Christine L. Duvauchelle
Physiology & Behavior August 1, 2006 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.06.021 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractRats that voluntarily self-administered moderate doses of MDMA (approximately 2.0–7.0 mg/kg/day) over 20 daily 2-hour sessions initially showed a drop in core body temperature after each session compared to baseline and to a control group that self-administered saline. Over time, this hypothermic response diminished, and by the final sessions core temperatures had risen above baseline. Locomotor activity during MDMA sessions was initially similar to saline levels but became significantly greater by day 8. These findings demonstrate that repeated voluntary MDMA intake leads to experience-dependent changes in temperature regulation and behavior.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Animal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Rats |
| Intervention | MDMA self-administration |
| Dose | approx. 2.0-7.0 mg/kg/day |
| Duration | 20 days of daily 2-h operant sessions |
| Topics | MDMA |
| Keywords | Self-administration Psychology Locomotor activity Saline |
| Citations | 23 |
| Key finding | Rats that self-administered MDMA initially showed hypothermia and later hyperthermia, along with a progressive increase in locomotor activity over 20 sessions. |
Abstract
Hyperthermia and hyperlocomotor activity are commonly reported acute effects of high dose, experimenter-delivered 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). The current investigation was performed to determine short- to long-term physiological and behavioral changes induced by moderate intake MDMA self-administration. In the present study, rats self-administered MDMA (approx. 2.0-7.0 mg/kg/day) across 20 days during daily 2-h operant sessions. Locomotor activity was assessed during MDMA self-administration sessions and core temperatures were recorded before and after each session. Findings of the first several sessions showed core temperatures significantly decreased after MDMA self-administration compared to baseline and to a control group that self-administered saline during operant sessions. As sessions proceeded, the MDMA-induced hypothermic response diminished and core temperatures normalized, then increased during the last few sessions. Also, locomotor activity during MDMA self-administration sessions was initially equivalent to saline level activity, but increased by day 8 to significantly greater levels. Our findings demonstrate experience-dependent changes after voluntary administration of MDMA that are clearly observable in temperature regulation and behavioral activity.