Research article

Electrocortical effects of MDMA are potentiated by acoustic stimulation in rats

Michelangelo Iannone¹ , Stefania Bulotta² , Donatella Paolino² , Maria Cristina Zito² , Santo Gratteri² , Francesco S Costanzo^{* 3} and Domenicantonio Rotiroti^{* 1,2}

¹CNR – Institute of Neurological Science, Section of Pharmacology, Catanzaro, 88021, Roccelletta di Borgia, Catanzaro, Italy

²Faculty of Pharmacy, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, 88021, Roccelletta di Borgia (CZ) Catanzaro, Italy

³Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University "Magna Græcia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Località Germaneto, Catanzaro, Italy

author email corresponding author email* Contributed equally

BMC Neuroscience 2006, 7:13doi:10.1186/1471-2202-7-13

Published:	16 February 2006

Abstract

Background

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) is known for its toxicological, psychopathological and abuse potential. Some environmental conditions, e.g. acoustic stimulation typical of the "rave scene" can influence the toxicity of this drug.

Results

We investigated the effects of low doses of MDMA in vivo using Wistar rats in the absence of acoustic stimulation (white noise; 95 Db) demonstrating that ecstasy is able to induce a significant activation (reduction of Electrocortical total power) of the telencephalic cortex that spontaneously reverts in the absence of sensorial stimuli, whereas it persists for several days if, in addition to MDMA, the animals are exposed to acoustic stimulation.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that low doses of MDMA are able to reduce electrocortical total power, and that this effect is potentiated by sensorial stimuli commonly present in certain environments, such as rave parties.