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MDMA-Based Psychotherapy in Treatment-Resistant Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Brief Narrative Overview of Current Evidence.

Diseases (Basel, Switzerland)
November 3, 2023
Kainat Riaz et al. (11 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and potential of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treating PTSD, particularly in treatment-resistant cases.

Results Summary

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, even in treatment-resistant patients, by modulating neurohormones and brain regions involved in fear and anxiety. The therapy received FDA "breakthrough therapy" designation based on positive outcomes from six phase II randomized controlled trials.

Population

PTSD patients, including treatment-resistant cases.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (3)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
decrease
PTSD symptoms
PTSD patients
-
can reduce
#1
MDMA
increase
dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and oxytocin
-
-
increasing
#2
MDMA
neutral
activities in the brain regions involved in fear and anxiety
-
-
modulates
#3
Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental health disorder that causes significant dysfunction in individuals. Currently, there are many approved pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatment options for PTSD, but unfortunately, half of the patients do not respond to traditional therapies. In this article, we review clinical trials and research on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy in PTSD patients, its pharmacokinetics, and current treatment guidelines for PTSD. Our findings are based on the results of the efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy from six phase II randomized controlled trials. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD has received the "breakthrough therapy" designation from the FDA. MDMA can reduce PTSD symptoms even in treatment-resistant cases by increasing certain neurohormones, i.e., dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and oxytocin. It also modulates activities in the brain regions involved in fear and anxiety. Future research is needed to show whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and whether its use can be integrated into available treatment options for PTSD.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations3
Citations/Year1.5
Relative Citation Ratio1.04
NIH Percentile51.8%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.50
Weight Score2.79
Normalized Score0.72
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