Abstract
A drug of abuse, Foxy or Methoxy Foxy gained popularity among recreational users as an alternative to MDMA (Ecstasy). Considerable research into the consequences of MDMA use is available, yet much remains unknown about the neurobiological consequences of Foxy use. In addition, research into the long-term neuropsychological repercussions associated with these two compounds remains incomplete. The goal of the present research was to explore the effects of MDMA or Foxy on cognitive processes associated with adolescent exposure considered over much of the lifespan. Here we investigated whether the reported effects following adolescent exposure resolved in early adulthood or continued throughout life. The protocol involved repeated doses of either MDMA or Foxy during the period defined as mid-adolescence (postnatal days 34 - 46) in rats, followed by the use of four series of learning and memory tasks repeated at different points in the rodent lifespan. At four time points in adulthood, the animals were trained and tested on a on a series of spatial and non-spatial memory tasks designed to assess the impact and severity of Foxy and MDMA. Oddly, MDMA-treated rats were impaired on a step down passive avoidance task. The performance of the drug-treated rats was markedly inferior to that of the control animals on more demanding water maze tasks, with some results suggesting a lack of flexibility in adapting to changing task demands. MDMA rats were the most impaired. While some persistent cognitive deficits were found, no significant group differences in serotonin or dopamine levels were found in any of the measured regions of the brain changes, cortical or subcortical. These results provide evidence for compromised neurocognition that continues long after drug exposure in the absence of any discernable changes in neurotransmitter levels. Several possible physiological and neurochemical mechanisms associated with these compounds requiring further study are also outlined.
Highlights
While adolescence is time of considerable neurodevelopmental change, it is characterized as a period marked with significant risk-taking behavior [1] [2]
The goal of the present research was to explore the effects of MDMA or Foxy on cognitive processes associated with adolescent exposure considered over much of the lifespan
The protocol involved repeated doses of either MDMA or Foxy during the period defined as mid-adolescence in rats, followed by the use of four series of learning and memory tasks repeated at different points in the rodent lifespan
Summary
While adolescence is time of considerable neurodevelopmental change, it is characterized as a period marked with significant risk-taking behavior [1] [2]. One of such set of adolescent risk-taking behaviors involves the use of “club drugs” such as 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “ecstasy”) [3], a drug with a variety of potential neurotoxic effects [4]. Owing to the fact that the limbic areas and prefrontal cortex continue to undergo considerable maturational change, the adolescent brain is susceptible to the putative neurotoxic effects associated with MDMA use [3] [5] [6] [7]. The consensus is that there is an MDMA-induced neurodegeneration of serotonin terminals [15] [16] and that this compound produces a reduction in CNS serotonin and dopamine levels in areas of the brain [17] central for normal learning and memory to occur [18]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
