Effects of MDMA-induced serotonergic damage on hippocampal theta activity in rats
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1
Semmelweis University, Institute of Pharmacodynamics, Hungary
Background: The amphetamine derivate MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, „ecstasy”) is used widespread as a recreational drug. There is evidence that MDMA causes selective damage of the serotonergic neurons in experimental animals and possibly in humans. Serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role in cognition and memory. Active and passive wake (AW, PW) are characterized by hippocampal theta oscillations (5-9 Hz) and during wakefulness they are associated with exploratory behaviour. We aimed to study the theta activity after a single dose of MDMA treatment with quantitative-electroencephalography (Q-EEG) in AW and PW, and to compare the results with serotonin transporter (5-HTT) immunohystochemistry.
Materials and methods: Experiment was carried out on adult male Dark Agouti rats. Animals were equipped with electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) electrodes. After the recovery and the habituation, rats were injected with MDMA or saline. The EEG recordings were made 7, 21 and 180 days after a single dose of MDMA (15 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment and Q-EEG was analysed for the first two hours starting at light onset. The EEG power spectrum of AW and PW was calculated. The density of serotonin transporter (5-HTT) immunoreactive fibres was measured with immunohistochemistry on the same days.
Results: Our main result shows that there is a significant decrease in cumulative power (μV2) of theta band 21 days after the treatment in PW. Significant, 30-40% reductions in serotonin transporter density were detected in the hippocampus 7, 21 and 180 days after the treatment.
Conference:
IBRO International Workshop 2010, Pécs, Hungary, 21 Jan - 23 Jan, 2010.
Presentation Type:
Poster Presentation
Topic:
Cognition and behavior
Citation:
Kostyalik
D,
Petschner
P,
Kátai
Z,
Kitka
T,
Kirilly
E and
Bagdy
G
(2010). Effects of MDMA-induced serotonergic damage on hippocampal theta activity in rats.
Front. Neurosci.
Conference Abstract:
IBRO International Workshop 2010.
doi: 10.3389/conf.fnins.2010.10.00162
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Received:
30 Apr 2010;
Published Online:
30 Apr 2010.
*
Correspondence:
Diána Kostyalik, Semmelweis University, Institute of Pharmacodynamics, Budapest, Hungary, hudinee@gmail.com