The rewarding properties of MDMA are preserved
in mice lacking micro-opioid receptors
by
-Robledo P, Mendizabal V, Ortuno J,
De La Torre R, Kieffer BL, Maldonado R.
Laboratori de Neurofarmacologia,
Facultat de Ciencies de la Salut i de la Vida,
Universitat Pompeu Fabra,
c/Dr Aiguader 80, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
Eur J Neurosci. 2004 Aug;20(3):853-8

ABSTRACT

The involvement of micro -opioid receptors in the rewarding properties of MDMA was explored in micro -opioid receptor knockout mice using the conditioning place preference paradigm. The associated release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens was investigated by in vivo microdialysis. A significant rewarding effect of MDMA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was observed in both wild-type and micro -opioid receptor knockout mice. MDMA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) also induced similar increases in dopamine and decreases in 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and homovanillic acid in the nucleus accumbens dialysates of both wild-type and micro -opioid receptor knockout mice. No significant differences in basal levels of dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic or homovanillic acids between wild-type and micro -opioid receptor knockout mice were observed. In summary, the present results suggest that, in contrast to what has been reported for other drugs of abuse such as opioids, ethanol, nicotine and Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol, micro -opioid receptors do not play a major role in the rewarding properties of MDMA. These differences could be due to distinct mechanisms controlling dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens and suggest that the effects of MDMA on dopaminergic neurons are independent of micro -opioid receptors.

History
Prodynorphin
Controversies
Protect and survive
Ecstasy and tryptophan
Ecstasy and serotonin synthesis
Ecstasy and the serotonin receptors
MDMA and endogenous opioid release

Refs
and further reading

HOME
HedWeb
Nootropics
cocaine.wiki
Future Opioids
BLTC Research
MDMA/Ecstasy
Superhapiness?
Utopian Surgery?
The Abolitionist Project
The Hedonistic Imperative
The Reproductive Revolution
Critique of Huxley's Brave New World

The Good Drug Guide
The Responsible Parent's Guide
To Healthy Mood Boosters For All The Family