The serotonergic system appears crucial for (±)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) reinforcing properties. Current evidence indicates that serotonin 5-HT2A receptors (5-HT2ARs) modulate mesolimbic dopamine (DA) activity and several behavioural responses related to the addictive properties of psychostimulants. This study evaluated the role of 5-HT2ARs in MDMA-induced reinforcement and hyperlocomotion, and the reinstatement of MDMA-seeking behaviour. Basal and MDMA-stimulated extracellular levels of DA in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and serotonin and noradrenaline in the prefrontal cortex were also assessed. Self-administration of MDMA was blunted in 5-HT2AR knockout (KO) mice compared to wild-type (WT) littermates at both doses tested (0.125 and 0.25 mg/kg per infusion). Horizontal locomotion was increased by MDMA (10 and 20 mg/kg i.p.) to a higher extent in KO than in WT mice. DA outflow in the NAc was lower in KO compared to WT mice under basal conditions and after MDMA (20 mg/kg) challenge. In WT mice, MDMA (5 and 10 mg/kg i.p.) priming did not reinstate MDMA-seeking behaviour, while cue-induced reinstatement was prominent. This cue-induced reinstatement was blocked by administration of the selective 5-HT2AR antagonist, SR46349B (eplivanserin) at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg, but not at 0.25 mg/kg. Our results indicate that 5-HT2ARs are crucial for MDMA-induced reinforcement and cue-induced reinstatement of MDMA-seeking behaviour. These effects are probably due to the modulation of mesolimbic dopaminergic activity.

This work was supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III FIS grant no. PI070709 (to P.R.) and Red de trastornos adictivos (RTA-RETICS) grant no. RD06/001/001 (to R.M.), the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación grant no. SAF2007-64062 (to R.M.), the Generalitat de Catalunya grant no. 2009SGR00731 and ICREA Academia award (to R.M.) and the European Commission projects GENADDICT (no. LSHM-CT-2004-05166) and PHECOMP (no. LSHM-CT-037669) (both to R.M.)