Functional consequences of repeated (+/-)3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine(MDMA) treatment in rhesus monkeys

Six rhesus monkeys were trained to stable performance on neuropsychological tests of memory, reinforcer efficacy, reaction time and bimanual motor coo rdination. Three monkeys were then exposed to a high-dose, short course reg imen of (+/-)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy" (4 days, 10 mg/kg i.m., b.i.d.). Following treatment, cotzcentrrrtions of 5-hydroxyind oleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were reduced by simila r to 50% in the treated animals, and this effect persisted for approximatel y three months post-MDMA. Behavioral performance was disrupted during acute MDMA treatment but returned to baseline within one week following treatmen t. MDMA also produced persistent alterations in late peak latencies of brai nstem auditory evoked potentials (BSAEP), lasting three months post-MDMA. B oth CSF 5-HIAA concentrations and evoked potential latencies were normalize d four months after treatment. These findings indicate that serotonergic al terations associated with MDMA use may result in persisting changes in brai n function. (C) 2001 American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Published by EIsevier Science Inc.