PubMed · 16876209
Experience-dependent changes in temperature and behavioral activity induced by MDMA.
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.
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Maria E Reveron, Esther Y Maier, Christine L Duvauchelle. 2006-07-27. Experience-dependent changes in temperature and behavioral activity induced by MDMA.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.06.021
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