Exploring the impact of MDMA and oxytocin ligands on anxiety and social responses: A comprehensive behavioural and molecular study in the zebrafish model.

This article focuses on investigating the effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and oxytocin receptor ligands on anxiety and social behaviors in 3-week-old zebrafish (Danio rerio). The study found that MDMA exhibits dose-dependent anxiolytic and prosocial effects, with low doses showing anxiogenic but prosocial activity, and higher doses producing anxiolytic effects; these behavioral changes corresponded with altered gene expression in serotonergic, oxytocin, and vasopressin systems, as well as modulation of AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. The oxytocin receptor agonist WAY-267,464 mimicked MDMA’s anxiolytic and prosocial effects, while the antagonist L-368,899 showed no significant impact. The findings support the therapeutic potential of MDMA for anxiety disorders and social impairments and highlight 3-week-old zebrafish as a valuable model for neurobehavioral research and psychiatric drug screening.