The effect of repeated-intermittent exposure to 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT) during adolescence on learning and memory in adult rats.

Repeated intermittent exposure to the hallucinogenic novel psychoactive substance 5-MeO-DIPT during adolescence impaired adult rats' exploratory activity in the open field test, reducing the number of crossings, and impaired learning in the serial pattern learning test, suggesting deficits in long-term memory and cognitive flexibility. No change was observed in the novel object recognition test. The findings indicate that adolescent exposure to 5-MeO-DIPT can cause long-lasting behavioral changes that persist into adulthood.

Study at a glance

Abstract

According to the European Drug Report, the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) is constantly growing. NPS are widely abused by human adolescent subjects. 5-Methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT) is one of the most frequently used hallucinogenic NPS. 5-MeO-DIPT intoxication results in hallucinations, vomiting, and tachycardia. Long-term exposure to 5-MeO-DIPT was reported to lead to development of post-hallucinogenic perception disorder. The aim of the present study was to determine whether repeated-intermittent administration of 5-MeO-DIPT during adolescence affects learning and memory in adult rats. Rats were treated with 5-MeO-DIPT in a dose of 2.5mg/kg from 30 to 33 and 37 to 40 Postnatal Day (PND). The experiments were conducted when the animals reached 90 PND. The effect of 5-MeO-DIPT on cognitive functions was assessed using the novel object recognition, open field, and serial pattern learning (SPL) tests. Repeated-intermittent exposure to 5-MeO-DIPT during adolescence decreased the number of crossings in the open field test at adulthood. Moreover, 5-MeO-DIPT treatment impaired adult rats' learning in the SPL test. There was no change in the novel object recognition test. The present results show that the performance of adult rats treated with 5-MeO-DIPT during adolescence was impaired in the open field test, which indicates the attenuated exploratory activity. 5-MeO-DIPT treatment undermined adult rats' performance in the serial pattern learning test, suggesting impairment of long term memory and cognitive flexibility. The present study showed that the exposure to 5-MeO-DIPT during adolescence might lead to long-lasting behavioral changes which persisted long after the exposure period.