Neuroscience 2002 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 809.12 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Δ9-THC MODULATES THE ACUTE EFFECTS AND THE LONG TERM NEUROTOXICITY OF MDMA (ECSTACY) IN RATS. |
| Authors: |
McGregor, I. S.*1
; Morley, K. C.1
; Li, K.1
; Clemens, K. J.1
; Mallet, P.2
; Hunt, G.1
; Cornish, J. L.1
1School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia 2School of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions - Addiction and Drugs of Abuse -- Amphetamines |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior<br />- Behavioral Pharmacology<br />-- Other |
| Session: |
809. Addiction and drugs of abuse: amphetamines V Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Wednesday, November 6, 2002 4:00 PM-5:00 PM |
| Location: | Hall A2-B3 Z-82 |
| Keywords: | CANNABINOIDS, ANXIETY, HYPOTHERMIA, SEROTONIN |
MDMA (Ecstacy) is a drug that is widely used by young people in many countries. There is increasing evidence that heavy use of MDMA damages brain serotonin (5-HT) systems, leading to chronic emotional and cognitive problems. We have shown that male Wistar rats briefly exposed to MDMA (4 x 5 mg/kg i.p. over four hours on each of two days) show long term increases in anxiety-like behavior three months after MDMA exposure (Morley et al EJP (2001) 433, 91-99). Human MDMA users frequently consume cannabis while under the influence of MDMA and the present study examined whether this might modulate the long term behavioral and neurotoxic effects of MDMA in rats. The active constituent of cannabis Δ9-THC (4 x 2.5 mg/kg over 4 h) reversed the acute hyperthermic effects of MDMA (4 x 5 mg/kg) on each of two days of administration, with rats given the MDMA/THC combination showing a robust hypothermia. Six weeks later rats that had received the MDMA/THC combination were less anxious on the emergence test than rats that had previously received MDMA alone. However both the MDMA and MDMA/THC groups showed heightened anxiety in the social interaction test relative to controls. Neurochemical analysis (HPLC) at six weeks post drug showed that Δ9-THC attenuated the 5-HT depletion produced by MDMA in the hippocampus, striatum, amygdala and cortex. We hypothesize that by minimizing the acute hyperthermic effects of MDMA, Δ9-THC may partly protect against MDMA neurotoxicity and associated long term changes in mood and behavior.
Supported by National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (ISM and GEH)
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2002 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Orlando, FL: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
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