Behavioural and Neurochemical Effects of Acute (±) 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the Dopamine D1 Receptor Mutant Rat

<p>Rationale: (±) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ‘ecstasy’) is a recreationally abused psychostimulant that leads to detrimental effects on memory performance. MDMA’s acute effects on memory are often attributed to a working memory impairment resulting from compromised serotonin systems. However, recent evidence from non-human animal experimental studies suggests that acute MDMA may impair memory performance through an MDMA-induced increase in dopamine (DA) release, leading to overstimulation of DA D1 receptors. The overstimulation of D1 receptors during acute MDMA exposure is thought to indirectly impair memory by increasing a subject’s susceptibility to proactive interference, leading to a perseverative pattern of responding during memory tasks. Objective: This project investigates the hypothesis that acute MDMA impairs memory performance via overstimulation of D1 receptors. The acute actions of MDMA will be assessed using DA D1 mutant (DAD1-/-) rats which possess a selective down-regulation in functional DA D1 receptors. On the basis that acute MDMA impairs memory function via overstimulation of D1 receptors it is predicted that, compared to control rats, DAD1-/- rats will be protected from the acute memory deficits caused by MDMA. Due to the novelty of the DAD1-/- rat model, prior to the assessment of the acute effects of MDMA on memory performance in these rats, behavioural and neurochemical characterisations will be conducted. Methods: Firstly, a behavioural characterisation was conducted to explore the tendencies of DAD1-/- rats, compared to controls, in a drug free state. Behaviours relevant for motivation and reward, movement, and memory were the focus of the behavioural investigation due to evidence suggesting a role for D1-like receptors in these functions. Secondly, a neurochemical assessment of DAD1-/- and controls rats in response to MDMA (3 mg/kg) was assayed using c-fos expression, a marker for neuronal activity, in several brain regions with known DA innervation. Thirdly, to assess the acute effects of MDMA on memory performance, DAD1-/- and control rats were trained on a spatial working memory T-maze task, delayed non-matching to position (DNMTP), over 25 sessions. Once trained, rats were administered either MDMA (1.5, 2.25 and 3 mg/kg) or saline fifteen minutes prior to testing on DNMTP, with all subjects experiencing all drug doses three time each. In addition, to further investigate the hypothesis that overstimulation of D1 receptors impairs memory performance, the effects of a D1 receptor agonist, SKF 81297 (0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 4.5 mg/kg) on DNMTP performance were also assessed. Results: The behavioural characterisation revealed that DAD1-/- rats are capable of performing many behaviours relevant for reward processing, movement and memory function. However, DAD1-/- rats were impaired with regard to some reward-related behaviours, such as the acquitision of lever pressing for sugar pellets. The assessment of c-fos expression demonstrated that DAD1-/- rats express less c-fos in the medial prefrontal cortex, striatum and nucleus accumbens compared to control rats following MDMA administration. Lastly, the effects of acute MDMA administration on memory performance were tested. During the third block of MDMA administration, control rats demonstrated decreased accuracy on the DMNTP task at both the 2.25 and 3 mg/kg doses. The decrease in accuracy during MDMA exposure in control rats was driven by an increase in perseverative errors. On the contrary, DAD1-/- rats were not impaired on the DNMTP task following acute MDMA at any of the doses tested. Administration of SKF 81297 did not lead to any systematic changes in performance, but at the 3 mg/kg dose DAD1-/- rats displayed increased accuracy compared to control rats. Conclusions: DAD1-/- rats were protected from an MDMA-induced decrease in accuracy on the DNMTP task compared to control rats. This finding challenges the assumption that MDMA’s acute effects on memory performance are wholly due to serononergic mechanisms. Specifically, the current study provides evidence for the hypothesis that acute MDMA exposure impairs memory performance in rats.</p>

Behavioural and Neurochemical Effects of Acute (±) 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in the Dopamine D1 Receptor Mutant Rat

<p>Rationale: (±) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ‘ecstasy’) is a recreationally abused psychostimulant that leads to detrimental effects on memory performance. MDMA’s acute effects on memory are often attributed to a working memory impairment resulting from compromised serotonin systems. However, recent evidence from non-human animal experimental studies suggests that acute MDMA may impair memory performance through an MDMA-induced increase in dopamine (DA) release, leading to overstimulation of DA D1 receptors. The overstimulation of D1 receptors during acute MDMA exposure is thought to indirectly impair memory by increasing a subject’s susceptibility to proactive interference, leading to a perseverative pattern of responding during memory tasks. Objective: This project investigates the hypothesis that acute MDMA impairs memory performance via overstimulation of D1 receptors. The acute actions of MDMA will be assessed using DA D1 mutant (DAD1-/-) rats which possess a selective down-regulation in functional DA D1 receptors. On the basis that acute MDMA impairs memory function via overstimulation of D1 receptors it is predicted that, compared to control rats, DAD1-/- rats will be protected from the acute memory deficits caused by MDMA. Due to the novelty of the DAD1-/- rat model, prior to the assessment of the acute effects of MDMA on memory performance in these rats, behavioural and neurochemical characterisations will be conducted. Methods: Firstly, a behavioural characterisation was conducted to explore the tendencies of DAD1-/- rats, compared to controls, in a drug free state. Behaviours relevant for motivation and reward, movement, and memory were the focus of the behavioural investigation due to evidence suggesting a role for D1-like receptors in these functions. Secondly, a neurochemical assessment of DAD1-/- and controls rats in response to MDMA (3 mg/kg) was assayed using c-fos expression, a marker for neuronal activity, in several brain regions with known DA innervation. Thirdly, to assess the acute effects of MDMA on memory performance, DAD1-/- and control rats were trained on a spatial working memory T-maze task, delayed non-matching to position (DNMTP), over 25 sessions. Once trained, rats were administered either MDMA (1.5, 2.25 and 3 mg/kg) or saline fifteen minutes prior to testing on DNMTP, with all subjects experiencing all drug doses three time each. In addition, to further investigate the hypothesis that overstimulation of D1 receptors impairs memory performance, the effects of a D1 receptor agonist, SKF 81297 (0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 4.5 mg/kg) on DNMTP performance were also assessed. Results: The behavioural characterisation revealed that DAD1-/- rats are capable of performing many behaviours relevant for reward processing, movement and memory function. However, DAD1-/- rats were impaired with regard to some reward-related behaviours, such as the acquitision of lever pressing for sugar pellets. The assessment of c-fos expression demonstrated that DAD1-/- rats express less c-fos in the medial prefrontal cortex, striatum and nucleus accumbens compared to control rats following MDMA administration. Lastly, the effects of acute MDMA administration on memory performance were tested. During the third block of MDMA administration, control rats demonstrated decreased accuracy on the DMNTP task at both the 2.25 and 3 mg/kg doses. The decrease in accuracy during MDMA exposure in control rats was driven by an increase in perseverative errors. On the contrary, DAD1-/- rats were not impaired on the DNMTP task following acute MDMA at any of the doses tested. Administration of SKF 81297 did not lead to any systematic changes in performance, but at the 3 mg/kg dose DAD1-/- rats displayed increased accuracy compared to control rats. Conclusions: DAD1-/- rats were protected from an MDMA-induced decrease in accuracy on the DNMTP task compared to control rats. This finding challenges the assumption that MDMA’s acute effects on memory performance are wholly due to serononergic mechanisms. Specifically, the current study provides evidence for the hypothesis that acute MDMA exposure impairs memory performance in rats.</p>

Methamphetamine Self-Administration: Neurochemical Consequences and Behavioural Effects

<p>It has been suggested that methamphetamine (MA) self-administration is dependent on dopaminergic mechanisms, and that exposure to high doses of methamphetamine is toxic to central dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) neurons. Most studies, however, have utilised a short duration, high dose, experimenter-administered MA exposure regime, which is not representative of exposure that results from MA use in humans. The present studies sought to investigate the effects of self-administered MA on brain monoamine levels following a short and longer withdrawal period, and to determine the role of D1- and D2-like receptors in the maintenance of MA self-administration and in relapse to MA-seeking. The effects of self-administered MA (0.1 mg/kg/infusion) on tissue monoamine levels were determined in rats either 24 hours or seven days following 20 daily six hour sessions. A yoked-control self-administration protocol was employed to determine the effects of response contingency. The effect of pre-treatment with the D1-like receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.0; 0.01; 0.02 mg/kg; subcutaneous [SC]), or the D2-like receptor antagonist, eticlopride (0.0; 0.0125; 0.025; 0.05 mg/kg; intraperitoneal [IP]) on MA self-administration reinforced according to a fixed ratio (FR) 1, and progressive ratio (PR; 0.2 mg/kg MA) schedule was determined. The effect of these pharmacological manipulations on relapse to MA-seeking was also determined. Additionally, the role of DA in drug-seeking was examined by measuring the effect of priming injections of the direct D1 receptor agonist, SKF 81297 (0.0; 1.0; 2.0; 4.0 mg/kg; IP), the direct D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole (0.0; 1.0 mg/kg; IP), or the DA transporter (DAT) inhibitor, GBR 12909 (0.0; 1.0; 10.0 mg/kg; IP), on MA-seeking behaviour. Self-administered MA produced a transient decrease in tissue levels of DA and an increase in DA turnover. This effect was produced at 24 hours, but not seven days following the final self-administration session. Similar effects were produced in yoked rats that received the same, non-contingent exposure to MA. Pre-treatment with SCH 23390, but not eticlopride, produced a significant alteration in the dose-response curve of MA self-administration reinforced on an FR1 schedule, and reduced MA produced BPs on the PR schedule. MA-seeking was produced by MA, cocaine and GBR 12909. SCH 23390 pre-treatment significantly reduced drug-primed MA-seeking, whereas eticlopride had no significant effect. Finally, neither SKF 81297, nor quinpirole significantly increased MA-seeking. These findings suggest that self-administered MA does not produce the extensive neurotoxicity seen following high-dose experimenter-administered treatment regimes. The finding that pre-treatment with a D1-, but not a D2-like receptor antagonist altered the maintenance of MA self-administration suggests that neuroadaptations take place as a function of MA self-administration, rendering this behaviour more reliant on D1-like receptor mechanisms. This idea is further supported by the finding that a D1-, but not a D2-like antagonist reduced drug-primed MA-seeking, and that priming injections with a D2 agonist failed to increase MA-seeking behaviour. These results are in contrast to the literature on self-administration and reinstatement of drug-seeking following self-administration of other drugs of abuse, and suggest that dependence on different drugs may become mediated by different DA receptor mechanisms.</p>

Methamphetamine Self-Administration: Neurochemical Consequences and Behavioural Effects

<p>It has been suggested that methamphetamine (MA) self-administration is dependent on dopaminergic mechanisms, and that exposure to high doses of methamphetamine is toxic to central dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) neurons. Most studies, however, have utilised a short duration, high dose, experimenter-administered MA exposure regime, which is not representative of exposure that results from MA use in humans. The present studies sought to investigate the effects of self-administered MA on brain monoamine levels following a short and longer withdrawal period, and to determine the role of D1- and D2-like receptors in the maintenance of MA self-administration and in relapse to MA-seeking. The effects of self-administered MA (0.1 mg/kg/infusion) on tissue monoamine levels were determined in rats either 24 hours or seven days following 20 daily six hour sessions. A yoked-control self-administration protocol was employed to determine the effects of response contingency. The effect of pre-treatment with the D1-like receptor antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.0; 0.01; 0.02 mg/kg; subcutaneous [SC]), or the D2-like receptor antagonist, eticlopride (0.0; 0.0125; 0.025; 0.05 mg/kg; intraperitoneal [IP]) on MA self-administration reinforced according to a fixed ratio (FR) 1, and progressive ratio (PR; 0.2 mg/kg MA) schedule was determined. The effect of these pharmacological manipulations on relapse to MA-seeking was also determined. Additionally, the role of DA in drug-seeking was examined by measuring the effect of priming injections of the direct D1 receptor agonist, SKF 81297 (0.0; 1.0; 2.0; 4.0 mg/kg; IP), the direct D2 receptor agonist, quinpirole (0.0; 1.0 mg/kg; IP), or the DA transporter (DAT) inhibitor, GBR 12909 (0.0; 1.0; 10.0 mg/kg; IP), on MA-seeking behaviour. Self-administered MA produced a transient decrease in tissue levels of DA and an increase in DA turnover. This effect was produced at 24 hours, but not seven days following the final self-administration session. Similar effects were produced in yoked rats that received the same, non-contingent exposure to MA. Pre-treatment with SCH 23390, but not eticlopride, produced a significant alteration in the dose-response curve of MA self-administration reinforced on an FR1 schedule, and reduced MA produced BPs on the PR schedule. MA-seeking was produced by MA, cocaine and GBR 12909. SCH 23390 pre-treatment significantly reduced drug-primed MA-seeking, whereas eticlopride had no significant effect. Finally, neither SKF 81297, nor quinpirole significantly increased MA-seeking. These findings suggest that self-administered MA does not produce the extensive neurotoxicity seen following high-dose experimenter-administered treatment regimes. The finding that pre-treatment with a D1-, but not a D2-like receptor antagonist altered the maintenance of MA self-administration suggests that neuroadaptations take place as a function of MA self-administration, rendering this behaviour more reliant on D1-like receptor mechanisms. This idea is further supported by the finding that a D1-, but not a D2-like antagonist reduced drug-primed MA-seeking, and that priming injections with a D2 agonist failed to increase MA-seeking behaviour. These results are in contrast to the literature on self-administration and reinstatement of drug-seeking following self-administration of other drugs of abuse, and suggest that dependence on different drugs may become mediated by different DA receptor mechanisms.</p>

A Comparison of Repeated MDMA- and AMPH-Produced Centre and Periphery Activity and the Underlying Neuroadaptations

<p>The recreational use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or 'ecstasy') is increasing in New Zealand. MDMA is a ring-substituted derivative of AMPH and, similar to AMPH, produces hyperactivity upon administration. However, the behavioural profile of hyperlocomotion produced by MDMA differs from that produced by AMPH, suggesting that different neural mechanisms underlie the behavioural response. The repeated administration of both MDMA and AMPH induces sensitised hyperactive responses that have recently been found to be different. In the present study, MDMA- and AMPH-induced centre and periphery hyperactivity were compared to investigate the neuroadaptations produced by repeated exposure to the two drugs. Rats were pre-treated with saline, MDMA, or AMPH and the acute response to MDMA, AMPH, or the D1 agonist, SKF-81297 was measured to determine whether cross-sensitisation was produced. Repeated administration of MDMA and AMPH produced similar behavioural profiles. However, cross-sensitisation between the two drugs was uni-directional, suggesting that the two produce different neuroadaptations. Repeated AMPH, but not MDMA, produced a sensitised response to the hyperlocomotor effects of SKF-81297, suggesting that D1 receptor mechanisms are one example of different neuroadaptations.</p>

A Comparison of Repeated MDMA- and AMPH-Produced Centre and Periphery Activity and the Underlying Neuroadaptations

<p>The recreational use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or 'ecstasy') is increasing in New Zealand. MDMA is a ring-substituted derivative of AMPH and, similar to AMPH, produces hyperactivity upon administration. However, the behavioural profile of hyperlocomotion produced by MDMA differs from that produced by AMPH, suggesting that different neural mechanisms underlie the behavioural response. The repeated administration of both MDMA and AMPH induces sensitised hyperactive responses that have recently been found to be different. In the present study, MDMA- and AMPH-induced centre and periphery hyperactivity were compared to investigate the neuroadaptations produced by repeated exposure to the two drugs. Rats were pre-treated with saline, MDMA, or AMPH and the acute response to MDMA, AMPH, or the D1 agonist, SKF-81297 was measured to determine whether cross-sensitisation was produced. Repeated administration of MDMA and AMPH produced similar behavioural profiles. However, cross-sensitisation between the two drugs was uni-directional, suggesting that the two produce different neuroadaptations. Repeated AMPH, but not MDMA, produced a sensitised response to the hyperlocomotor effects of SKF-81297, suggesting that D1 receptor mechanisms are one example of different neuroadaptations.</p>

Zebrafish Larvae's Response to Electricity is Mediated by Dopaminergic Agonists and Antagonists

The signaling molecular mechanisms in zebrafish response to electricity are unknown, so here we asked if changes to dopaminergic signaling pathways can affect their electrically-evoked locomotion. To answer this question, the effects of multiple selective and non-selective dopamine compounds on the electric response of zebrafish larvae is investigated. A microfluidic device with enhanced control of experimentation with multiple larvae is used, which features a novel design to immobilize four zebrafish larvae in parallel and expose them to electric current that induces tail locomotion. In 6 days post-fertilization zebrafish larvae, the electric induced locomotor response is quantified in terms of the tail movement duration and beating frequency to discern the effect of non-lethal concentrations of dopaminergic agonists (apomorphine, SKF-81297, and quinpirole), and antagonists (butaclamol, SCH-23390, and haloperidol). All dopamine antagonists decrease locomotor activity, while dopamine agonists do not induce similar behaviours in larvae. The D2- like selective dopamine agonist quinpirole enhances movement. However, exposure to non-selective and D1-selective dopamine agonists apomorphine and SKF-81297 cause no significant change in the electric response. Exposing larvae that were pre-treated with butaclamol and haloperidol to apomorphine and quinpirole, respectively, restores electric locomotion. The results demonstrate a correlation between electric response and the dopamine signalling pathway. We propose that the electrofluidic assay has profound application potential as a chemical screening method when investigating biological pathways, behaviors, and brain disorders.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 mediates cocaine reinstatement via the D1 dopamine receptor in the nucleus accumbens

Purpose: The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a nonselective cation channel that mediates synaptic modification in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). However, no study has yet examined the mechanism of TRPV1 in the NAc on cocaine reinstatement. We investigated the mechanism of TRPV1 in NAc on cocaine reinstatement using the conditioned place preference (CPP) test in mice. Methods: We examined the effect of capsazepine (5 mg/kg, a TRPV1 antagonist, administered intraperitoneally (i.p.)), capsaicin (0.3 mg/kg, a TRPV1 agonist, administered i.p.), and genetic deletion of TRPV1 on the reinstatement of cocaine-induced CPP (15 mg/kg, administered i.p.). The expression of TRPV1 and Ca2+/calmodulin-mediated kinase II (CaMKII) in the NAc were determined after cocaine reinstatement. Microinjection of SB366791 (0.2 ng, a selective TRPV1 antagonist) in the NAc was assessed on SKF-81297 (1 µg, D1-like dopamine (DA) receptor agonist) primed cocaine reinstatement. Results: Capsazepine suppressed and capsaicin potentiated cocaine CPP in the reinstatement phase. In addition, genetic deletion of TRPV1 inhibited cocaine-priming reinstatement. Cocaine reinstatement was mediated by increased TRPV1 expression in the NAc, which involves CaMKII. Microinjection of SB366791 in the NAc prevented the cocaine reinstatement evoked by microinjection of SKF-81297 in the NAc. Conclusions: These findings suggest that activation of TRPV1 mediates the stimulation of D1-like DA receptors and CaMKII in the NAc, resulting in the facilitation of cocaine reinstatement behaviors. Thus, our findings reveal a previously unknown TRPV1 mechanism in the reinstatement to drugs of abuse.

Synergistic Effects of D1/5 and 5-HT1A/7 Receptor Agonists on Locomotor Movement Induction in Complete Spinal Cord–Transected Mice

Monoamines are well known to modulate locomotion in several vertebrate species. Coapplication of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) has also been shown to potently induce fictive locomotor rhythms in isolated spinal cord preparations. However, a synergistic contribution of these monoamines to locomotor rhythmogenesis in vivo has never been examined. Here, we characterized the effects induced by selective DA and 5-HT receptor agonists on hindlimb movement induction in completely spinal cord transected (adult) mice. Administration of the lowest effective doses of SKF-81297 (D1/5 agonist, 1–2 mg/kg, ip) or 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A/7 agonist, 0.5 mg/kg, ip) acutely elicited some locomotor-like movements (LM) (5.85 ± 1.22 and 3.67 ± 1.44 LM/min, respectively). Coadministration of the same doses of SKF-81297 and 8-OH-DPAT led to a significant increase (7- to 10-fold) of LM (37.70 ± 5.01 LM/min). Weight-bearing and plantar foot placement capabilities were also found with the combination treatment only (i.e., with no assistance or other forms of stimulation). These results clearly show that D1/5 and 5-HT1A/7 receptor agonists can synergistically activate spinal locomotor networks and thus generate powerful basic stepping movements in complete paraplegic animals. Although previous work from this laboratory has reported the partial rhythmogenic potential of monoamines in vivo, the present study shows that drug combinations such as SKF-81297 and 8-OH-DPAT can elicit weight-bearing stepping.