Prenatal 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) exposure induces
long-term alterations in the dopaminergic and serotonergic functions in the rat
by
Galineau L, Belzung C, Kodas E, Bodard S, Guilloteau D, Chalon S.
INSERM U619, IFR135, Laboratoire de Biophysique Medicale and Pharmaceutique,
Universite Francois Rabelais des Sciences Pharmaceutiques,
31 avenue Monge, 37200 Tours, France.
Brain Res Dev Brain Res. 2005 Feb 8;154(2):165-76

ABSTRACT

We investigated several aspects of the dopaminergic and serotonergic functions throughout brain development in rats prenatally exposed to MDMA ("ecstasy"). Pregnant rats were treated with MDMA (10 mg/kg s.c.) or saline from the 13th to the 20th day of gestation and studies were conducted on the progeny from both groups: (i) quantification of whole brain contents of DA, 5-HT and metabolites from the 14th day of embryonic life (E(14)) to weaning (21st day of postnatal life, P(21)); (ii) quantification of DA and 5-HT membrane transporters by autoradiography from E(18) to adult age (P(70)); (iii) measurement of pharmacologically induced release of DA and 5-HT using microdialysis on adult (P(70)) freely moving rats; (iv) measurement of sucrose preference in adults (P(70)). Prenatally MDMA-exposed rats showed (i) a two-fold decrease of whole brain levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA at P(0); (ii) no effect on the DAT and SERT density; (iii) a strongly reduced pharmacologically induced release of DA and 5-HT at P(70) in the striatum and hippocampus; and (iv) a significant 20% decrease in sucrose preference at P(70). This study suggests that a prenatal exposure to MDMA induces transient and long-term neurochemical and behavioural modifications in dopaminergic and serotonergic functions.

Pregnancy
MDMA/MDE
Fetal Ecstasy
Controversies
Ecstasy and sex
Protect and survive
MDMA and immunity
Ecstasy and serotonin synthesis
Prenatal Ecstasy and the juvenile rat

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