MDMA-induced c-Fos expression in oxytocin-containing neurons is blocked by pretreatment with the 5-HT-1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorHunt, GEen_AU
dc.contributor.authorMcGregor, ISen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCornish, JLen_AU
dc.contributor.authorCallaghan, PDen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2014-11-10T01:16:51Zen_AU
dc.date.available2014-11-10T01:16:51Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2011-08-10en_AU
dc.date.statistics2014-11-10en_AU
dc.description.abstractThe popular party drug MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, “Ecstasy”) increases sociability in both humans and laboratory animals. Recent research suggests that these prosocial effects may involve serotonin (5-HT)-stimulated hypothalamic release of the neuropeptide oxytocin. WAY 100635, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, prevents MDMA-induced increases in plasma oxytocin and also reduces MDMA-mediated increases in social interaction in rats. The present study used c-Fos immunohistochemistry to determine the possible role of 5-HT1A receptors in MDMA-mediated activation of oxytocin synthesizing neurons. Male Wistar rats (n = 8/group) were administered MDMA (10 mg/kg, i.p.) with or without WAY 100635 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) pre-treatment and c-Fos expression was then assessed throughout the brain. MDMA significantly increased locomotor activity and this effect was partly prevented by WAY 100635, in agreement with previous studies. WAY 100635 significantly reduced MDMA-induced c-Fos expression in a subset of brain regions examined. A particularly prominent reduction was seen in the oxytocin-positive neurons of the supraoptic nucleus and paraventricular hypothalamus, with more modest reductions in the Islands of Calleja, median preoptic nucleus, somatosensory cortex and nucleus of the solitary tract. WAY 100635 did not alter MDMA-induced c-Fos expression in the striatum, thalamus, or central amygdala. These results indicate that MDMA's action on oxytocin producing cells in the hypothalamus is mediated through 5-HT1A receptors and that certain specific cortical, limbic and brainstem sites are also activated by MDMA via these receptors. © 2011, Elsevier Ltd.en_AU
dc.description.sponsorshipResearch supported by an NH&MRC grant to ISM, GEH and JLC.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationHunt, G. E., McGregor, I. S., Cornish, J. L., & Callaghan, P. D. (2011). MDMA-induced c-Fos expression in oxytocin-containing neurons is blocked by pretreatment with the 5-HT-1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635. Brain Research Bulletin, 86(1-2), 65-73. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.06.011en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc5287en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0361-9230en_AU
dc.identifier.issue1-2en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleBrain Research Bulletinen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination65-73en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.06.011en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/6038en_AU
dc.identifier.volume86en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherElsevieren_AU
dc.subjectChemistryen_AU
dc.subjectReceptorsen_AU
dc.subjectBrainen_AU
dc.subjectOxytocinen_AU
dc.subjectRatsen_AU
dc.subjectDrugsen_AU
dc.titleMDMA-induced c-Fos expression in oxytocin-containing neurons is blocked by pretreatment with the 5-HT-1A receptor antagonist WAY 100635en_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
Files
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Journal Articles