EFFECTS OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC TREATMENT WITH 3,4-METHYLENEDIOXYMETHAMPHETAMINE (MDMA) AND THE CANNABINOID RECEPTOR AGONIST WIN55,212-2 ON BEHAVIOUR AND COGNITION IN RATS

Abstract

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymetamphethamine, ecstasy ) is one of the most popular illicit recreational drugs among young adults. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms responsible for the physiological, behavioural and psychological effects, as well as the influence on cognitive functions such as memory and decision making are still not fully examined. Furthermore, if and to what extend this drug has neurotoxic properties is debated. Most ecstasy users are polydrug users, and the majority concomitantly consumes cannabis. Cannabis is the most frequently consumed illegal psychoactive drug world wide. While cannabis products are generally perceived as soft drugs and their potential medical usefulness is progressing, cognitive impairments and long-term alterations in the brain, especially following prolonged and heavy use in adolescence, are observed. This thesis investigates the influence of MDMA and the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist, WIN55,212-2 (WIN), on different forms of decision making, memory function, locomotor activity and physiological parameters such as body temperature and food intake. Within both an acute as well as chronic systemic administration schedule, effects of each substance alone as well as their combination is tested in order to mimic co-consumption of these drugs. Within chronic treatment, adult as well as pubertal rats and their respective brain myelination levels are examined to determine vulnerable periods of drug consumption or age-related differences.