Effects of MDMA ("ecstasy") during adolescence on place conditioning and hippocampal neurogenesis.

The use of 3,4,methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the active agent in ecstasy, during adolescence is widespread yet the effects on adolescent behavior and brain development are unknown. The aim of the present study was 1) to evaluate effects of MDMA in adolescent rats using the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm to measure MDMA-induced reward and 2) assess effects of MDMA administration on cellular proliferation, survival and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. During the adolescent period, MDMA CPP was measured in adolescents [postnatal day (PND) 28-39] by training rats to associate 1.

Localization of stereotaxic coordinates for the ventral tegmental area in early adolescent, mid-adolescent and adult rats.

The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a brain region implicated in drug addiction and related behaviors; however, little research has been conducted examining the role of the VTA in these processes in adolescent rats. Understanding the development of the VTA is imperative for elucidating mechanisms mediating adolescent vulnerability to drug addiction. The purpose of the present study was to define stereotaxic coordinates for the VTA in developing rats.