Comparison of the developmental effects of 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (Foxy) to (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) in rats.

Treating young rats with either MDMA or the club drug 5-MeO-DIPT from postnatal days 11 to 20 caused lasting cognitive and behavioral changes, but the patterns differed between the two drugs. MDMA-treated animals showed increased anxiety, deficits in spatial and path integration learning, and memory problems. 5-MeO-DIPT-treated animals had spatial learning deficits but no impairments in spatial memory or path integration learning, and they were hyperactive when given a challenge dose of methamphetamine. The findings indicate that developmental exposure to either drug produces distinct behavioral effects.

Study at a glance

Abstract

We have previously shown that (+/-)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) treatment from postnatal days (P)11 to P20 leads to learning and memory deficits when the animals are tested as adults. Recently, the club drug 5-methoxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine (5-MeO-DIPT) has gained popularity. Due to the similarities between MDMA and 5-MeO-DIPT and the substitution of 5-MeO-DIPT for MDMA, the purpose of this study was to compare the developmental effects of these drugs. Within a litter, animals were treated from P11 to P20 with either MDMA, 5-MeO-DIPT, or saline. MDMA-treated animals showed increased anxiety in a measure of defensive marble burying, as well as deficits in spatial and path integration learning. 5-MeO-DIPT-treated animals showed spatial learning deficits; however, there were no deficits observed in spatial memory or path integration learning. 5-MeO-DIPT-treated animals also showed hyperactivity in response to a challenge dose of methamphetamine. The results show that treatment with either 5-MeO-DIPT or MDMA during development results in cognitive deficits and other behavioral changes but the pattern of effects is distinct for each drug.