Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Is the Ecstasy-induced ipsilateral rotation in 6-hydroxydopamine unilaterally lesioned rats dopamine independent?

  • Published:
Journal of Neural Transmission Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has recently been hypothesized to be effective against the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Therefore we tested the effects of MDMA-derivatives in the rotational behavioural model. Male Sprague Dawley rats were lesioned unilaterally with 6-hydroxydopamine at the medial forebrain bundle. MDMA was administered at doses of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, its derivatives N-Methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butananamine (MBDB), 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine (MDE) and 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) at 5.0 mg/kg respectively. All substances induced ipsilateral rotations, MDA being the most effective. MDMA induced rotations were attenuated by the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor Citalopram but were only slightly reduced by pre-treatment with the selective serotonin synthesis inhibitor PCPA (para-chlorophenylalanine). The effects of MDMA can therefore not fully be explained by serotonin release or by dopaminergic activity of the drugs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1.  Neuropharmacology, Zoological Institute, and, , , , , , DE

    H. B. Lebsanft, A. Mayerhofer & W. J. Schmidt

  2.  Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, Germany, , , , , , DE

    K.-A. Kovar

Authors
  1. H. B. Lebsanft
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Mayerhofer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. K.-A. Kovar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. W. J. Schmidt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Received November 5, 2002; accepted February 12, 2003 Published online May 5, 2003

Authors' address: Dr. W. J. Schmidt, Zoological Institute, Neuropharmacology, University of Tübingen, Mohlstrasse 54/1, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany, e-mail: werner.schmidt@uni-tuebingen.de

Abbreviations ANOVA analysis of variance, GABA gamma-aminobutyric acid, MBDB N-Methyl-1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-2-butananamine, MDA 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine, MDE 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-ethylamphetamine, MDMA 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MFB medial forebrain bundle, 6-OHDA 6-Hydroxydopamine, PCPA para-chlorophenylalanine, PBS phosphate-buffered saline, SEM standard error of the mean.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lebsanft, H., Mayerhofer, A., Kovar, KA. et al. Is the Ecstasy-induced ipsilateral rotation in 6-hydroxydopamine unilaterally lesioned rats dopamine independent?. J Neural Transm 110, 707–718 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-003-0823-y

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-003-0823-y

Search

Navigation