Importance of ERK activation in behavioral and biochemical effects induced by MDMA in mice.

摘要: Little is known about the cellular effects induced by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy), although changes in gene expression have been observed following treatments with other psychostimulants. Thus, aim of this study was to investigate mice, relationships between ras-dependent protein kinase ERK and MDMA-induced reinforcement using conditioned place preference (CPP) locomotor activity measurements. This completed real-time quantitative PCR method a immediate early-genes (IEGs) transcription be involved neuronal plasticity. A significant CPP after repeated MDMA treatment CD-1 mice at dose 9 mg kg-1 i.p. but not 3 6 kg-1. rewarding effect abolished selective inhibitor activation, SL327 (50 kg-1; i.p.). Similar results were obtained on activity, clearly suggesting role pathway these behavioral responses. Following acute injection, strong c-fos brain structures, such as caudate putamen, nucleus accumbens hippocampus, whereas egr-1 egr-3 transcripts only increased putamen. IEGs selectively suppressed for signaling pathways regulation structures. In agreement results, blocked confirms extends reported development addiction-like properties MDMA. could facilitate studies molecular mechanism process mutant mice.