The Combined Psychoactive Effects of Caffeine, Nicotine and MDMA on the Prefrontal Cortex of Juvenile Experimental Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

The developing brain at the adolescent stage is prone to the effects of various psychoactive agents and environmental influences. Caffeine, nicotine and MDMA influences on the developing brain and the possible consequences of such on fundamental mental attributes that determine brain health primarily including memory, cognition, behavior and learning among others. This research studied the structural and functional changes attributable to the combined use of caffeine, nicotine and MDMA on the prefrontal cortex including learning, cognition and anxiety tendencies. Male juvenile experimental Wistar rats, thirty-two [n=32] were grouped and administered Caffeine, nicotine and MDMA using oral gavages, whereas an untreated group was used as control (Group A). Group B received caffeine [100mg/kg body weight] and nicotine [50mg/kg body weight], C received Caffeine [100mg/kg body weight] and MDMA [10mg/kg body weight] and Group D received Nicotine [50mg/kg body weight] and MDMA [10mg/kg body weight]. Each group had eight rats. Treatments as described lasted thirty days after which animals were sacrificed. The Neurobehavioral tests carried out which were Barnes maze to access spatial learning and memory and elevated plus maze to access the anti-anxiety effects of pharmacological agents. The prefrontal cortex was washed in PBS and processed for histological and immunohistochemistry. Cryostat sections [~20μm] of the fixed tissue (prefrontal cortex) were mounted on glass slides followed by GFAP and histochemistry procedures as well as the routine H&E procedure. Photomicrographs were analyzed using ImageJ. Caffeine, nicotine and MDMA had effects on the brain cells. Neurons morphologies were distorted in certain instances as well as the expression of Nissl bodies and myelin sheath, most especially in group D which was administered Nicotine + MDMA. Results show that the combined effect of caffeine, nicotine and MDMA influences the activities of enzymes and vital neurotransmitters in the brain and alters the brain chemistry relative to the tested enzymes and neurotransmitters as well as its morphology.