Differentiation of MDMA or 5-MeO-DIPT induced cognitive deficits in rat following adolescent exposure.

Abstract

The so-called "club drug" Foxy or Methoxy Foxy (5-Methoxy-N,N-di(iso)propyltryptamine hydrochloride; 5-MeO-DIPT) is a newer drug of abuse that has recently gained in popularity among recreational users as an alternative to MDMA (Ecstasy). While considerable research into the consequences of MDMA use is available, much remains unknown about the neurobiological consequences of 5-MeO-DIPT use. In the present study, beginning at 35 days of age adolescent rats were given repeated injections of 10 mg/kg of 5-MeO-DIPT, MDMA, or a corresponding volume of isotonic saline. Adult animals (135 days old) were trained and tested on a number of tasks designed to assess the impact, if any, and severity of 5-MeO-DIPT and MDMA, on a series of spatial and nonspatial memory tasks. Both the 5-MeO-DIPT-and the MDMA-treated rats were able to master the spatial navigation tests where the task included a single goal location and all groups performed comparably on these phases of training and testing. Conversely, the performance of both groups of the drug-treated rats was markedly inferior to that of the control animals on a task where the goal was moved to a new location and on a response learning task, suggesting a lack of flexibility in adapting their responses to changing task demands. In addition, in a response learning version of a learning set task, 5-MeO-DIPT rats made significantly more working memory errors than MDMA or control rats. Results are discussed in terms of observed alterations in serotonin activity in the forebrain and the consequences of compromised serotoninergic systems on cognitive processes.

Longitudinal Examination of Learning and Memory in Rats Following Adolescent Exposure to 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine or 5-Methoxy-N,N-Diisopropyltryptamine

“…In addition, reductions in hippocampal, striatum, and cortical 5-HT levels 60 days following the final MDMA exposure have been reported [76], a result that was consistent with other research [27]. Certainly, variables such as frequency and duration of drug exposure are important when considering the neurochemical effects associated with MDMA use [45] [77].…”

“…Research into the effects of Foxy with rodent models have led to reports of Foxy-associated deficits [24] [25] [26] [27]. While the specific effects associated with exposure to Foxy remains to be elucidated, the available evidence is suggestive of deficits primarily associated with compromised attentional processes and [28].…”

A Neuropsychological Assessment of the Effects of Chronic Ketamine Exposure in a Rodent Model of Drug Abuse

“…Spatial learning and memory was evaluated using variations of Morris water navigation. Nonspatial response learning was examined using a Morris water maze version of the Greek cross task described elsewhere (Compton, Selinger, Westman, & Otero, 2011). In addition, a test of activity and the cued version of the Morris water maze task were administered to not provide a more complete picture of the physical state of the rats.…”

Modification of Serial Pattern Learning by Designer Tryptamine Exposure during Adolescence: Comparison with Damage to the Dorsal Hippocampus or Prefrontal Cortex

“…As reports of its use accumulated, in the United States FOXY was classified as a Schedule I drug [40]. Although some recent work has elucidated some of the effects of this compound [38][39][40][41][42][43], unlike M DMA, our knowledge of the consequences associated with the use of FOXY on the behaviour and neurobiology of mammalian systems remains limited.…”