A comparison of the reinforcing efficacy of 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") with cocaine in rhesus monkeys

Joshua A. Lile; Jason T. Ross; Michael A. Nader

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.10.006

A comparison of the reinforcing efficacy of 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") with cocaine in rhesus monkeys

Joshua A. Lile
, Jason T. Ross
, Michael A. Nader

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to compare the reinforcing efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') to cocaine. Rhesus monkeys (n = 4) responded under a within-session, exponentially increasing, progressive-ratio (PR) schedule of cocaine reinforcement. Breaking point (BP) for the PR schedule was defined as the final response requirement completed before 2 h had elapsed without an injection delivered. Saline and doses of cocaine (0.003-0.3 mg/kg/injection) and MDMA (0.01-0.56 mg/kg/injection) were substituted for the training dose of cocaine for at least five consecutive sessions. Both cocaine and MDMA functioned as reinforcers, but self-administration of MDMA occurred at fewer doses and a significantly lower peak BP was obtained for MDMA. These data demonstrate that MDMA functions as a reinforcer, although its reinforcing efficacy appears to be less than that of cocaine.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	135-140
Number of pages	6
Journal	Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume	78
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.10.006
State	Published - May 9 2005

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by National Institute on Drug Abuse research grants DA-06634 (MAN) and DA-05934 (JAL). The authors thank D.R. Claytor, C.L. Hubbard and T.L. Moore for technical assistance and Drs. J.R. Tobin and R. Sherertz for consultation on catheter tract infection prevention.

Funding

This research was supported by National Institute on Drug Abuse research grants DA-06634 (MAN) and DA-05934 (JAL). The authors thank D.R. Claytor, C.L. Hubbard and T.L. Moore for technical assistance and Drs. J.R. Tobin and R. Sherertz for consultation on catheter tract infection prevention.

Funders	Funder number
National Institute on Drug Abuse	P50DA006634, DA-05934

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Cocaine
Drug abuse
MDMA
Reinforcing efficacy
Rhesus monkey

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Toxicology
Pharmacology
Psychiatry and Mental health
Pharmacology (medical)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2004.10.006

Cite this

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abstract = "The purpose of the present study was to compare the reinforcing efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') to cocaine. Rhesus monkeys (n = 4) responded under a within-session, exponentially increasing, progressive-ratio (PR) schedule of cocaine reinforcement. Breaking point (BP) for the PR schedule was defined as the final response requirement completed before 2 h had elapsed without an injection delivered. Saline and doses of cocaine (0.003-0.3 mg/kg/injection) and MDMA (0.01-0.56 mg/kg/injection) were substituted for the training dose of cocaine for at least five consecutive sessions. Both cocaine and MDMA functioned as reinforcers, but self-administration of MDMA occurred at fewer doses and a significantly lower peak BP was obtained for MDMA. These data demonstrate that MDMA functions as a reinforcer, although its reinforcing efficacy appears to be less than that of cocaine.",

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N2 - The purpose of the present study was to compare the reinforcing efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') to cocaine. Rhesus monkeys (n = 4) responded under a within-session, exponentially increasing, progressive-ratio (PR) schedule of cocaine reinforcement. Breaking point (BP) for the PR schedule was defined as the final response requirement completed before 2 h had elapsed without an injection delivered. Saline and doses of cocaine (0.003-0.3 mg/kg/injection) and MDMA (0.01-0.56 mg/kg/injection) were substituted for the training dose of cocaine for at least five consecutive sessions. Both cocaine and MDMA functioned as reinforcers, but self-administration of MDMA occurred at fewer doses and a significantly lower peak BP was obtained for MDMA. These data demonstrate that MDMA functions as a reinforcer, although its reinforcing efficacy appears to be less than that of cocaine.

AB - The purpose of the present study was to compare the reinforcing efficacy of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') to cocaine. Rhesus monkeys (n = 4) responded under a within-session, exponentially increasing, progressive-ratio (PR) schedule of cocaine reinforcement. Breaking point (BP) for the PR schedule was defined as the final response requirement completed before 2 h had elapsed without an injection delivered. Saline and doses of cocaine (0.003-0.3 mg/kg/injection) and MDMA (0.01-0.56 mg/kg/injection) were substituted for the training dose of cocaine for at least five consecutive sessions. Both cocaine and MDMA functioned as reinforcers, but self-administration of MDMA occurred at fewer doses and a significantly lower peak BP was obtained for MDMA. These data demonstrate that MDMA functions as a reinforcer, although its reinforcing efficacy appears to be less than that of cocaine.

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A comparison of the reinforcing efficacy of 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") with cocaine in rhesus monkeys

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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