Behavioral effects of MDMA ('ecstasy') on adult zebrafish

Behav Pharmacol. 2011 Jun;22(3):275-80. doi: 10.1097/FBP.0b013e328345f758.

Abstract

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') is a potent psychedelic drug inducing euphoria and hypersociability in humans, as well as hyperactivity and anxiety in rodents. Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) have become a widely used species in neurobehavioral research. Here, we explore the effects of a wide range (0.25-120 mg/l) of acute MDMA doses on zebrafish behavior in the novel tank test. Although MDMA was inactive at lower doses (0.25-10 mg/l), higher doses reduced bottom swimming and immobility (40-120 mg/l) and impaired intrasession habituation (10-120 mg/l). MDMA also elevated brain c-fos expression, collectively confirming the usage of zebrafish models for screening of hallucinogenic compounds.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / toxicity*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / analysis
  • Zebrafish

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos
  • N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine