OPEN Foundation

M. Mithoefer

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD: Are memory reconsolidation and fear extinction underlying mechanisms?

March 7, 2018 / Anxiety disorders / PTSD, MDMA, Neuroscience, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy, Publications / By / ,

Abstract

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of PTSD has recently progressed to Phase 3 clinical trials and received Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA. MDMA used as an adjunct during psychotherapy sessions has demonstrated effectiveness and acceptable safety in reducing PTSD symptoms in Phase 2 trials, with durable remission of PTSD diagnosis in 68% of participants. The underlying psychological and neurological mechanisms for the robust effects in mitigating PTSD are being investigated in animal models and in studies of healthy volunteers. This review explores the potential role of memory reconsolidation and fear extinction during MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. MDMA enhances release of monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine), hormones (oxytocin, cortisol), and other downstream signaling molecules (BDNF) to dynamically modulate emotional memory circuits. By reducing activation in brain regions implicated in the expression of fear- and anxiety-related behaviors, namely the amygdala and insula, and increasing connectivity between the amygdala and hippocampus, MDMA may allow for reprocessing of traumatic memories and emotional engagement with therapeutic processes. Based on the pharmacology of MDMA and the available translational literature of memory reconsolidation, fear learning, and PTSD, this review suggests a neurobiological rationale to explain, at least in part, the large effect sizes demonstrated for MDMA in treating PTSD.

Feduccia, A. A., & Mithoefer, M. C. (2018). MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD: Are memory reconsolidation and fear extinction underlying mechanisms?. Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology and biological psychiatry. 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.03.003
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Progress and promise for the MDMA drug development program

November 20, 2017 / Anxiety disorders / PTSD, MDMA, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Publications / By / , ,

Abstract

Pharmacotherapy is often used to target symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but does not provide definitive treatment, and side effects of daily medication are often problematic. Trauma-focused psychotherapies are more likely than drug treatment to achieve PTSD remission, but have high dropout rates and ineffective for a large percentage of patients. Therefore, research into drugs that might increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy is a logical avenue of investigation. The most promising drug studied as a catalyst to psychotherapy for PTSD thus far is 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as the recreational drug “Ecstasy.” MDMA stimulates the release of hormones and neurochemicals that affect key brain areas for emotion and memory processing. A series of recently completed phase 2 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of PTSD show favorable safety outcomes and large effect sizes that warrant expansion into multi-site phase 3 trials, set to commence in 2018. The nonprofit sponsor of the MDMA drug development program, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), is supporting these trials to explore whether MDMA, administered on only a few occasions, can increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy. Brain imaging techniques and animal models of fear extinction are elucidating neural mechanisms underlying the robust effects of MDMA on psychological processing; however, much remains to be learned about the complexities of MDMA effects as well as the complexities of PTSD itself.
Feduccia, A. A., Holland, J., & Mithoefer, M. C. (2017). Progress and promise for the MDMA drug development program. Psychopharmacology, 1-11. 10.1007/s00213-017-4779-2
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Therapeutic effect of increased openness: Investigating mechanism of action in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy

June 1, 2017 / Anxiety disorders / PTSD, MDMA, Papers, Personality, Psychiatry, Psychology, Publications / By / , , , , , ,

Abstract

A growing body of research suggests that traumatic events lead to persisting personality change characterized by increased neuroticism. Relevantly, enduring improvements in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms have been found in response to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy. There is evidence that lasting changes in the personality feature of “openness” occur in response to hallucinogens, and that this may potentially act as a therapeutic mechanism of change. The present study investigated whether heightened Openness and decreased Neuroticism served as a mechanism of change within a randomized trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD. The Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) Global Scores and NEO PI-R Personality Inventory (NEO) Openness and Neuroticism Scales served as outcome measures. Results indicated that changes in Openness but not Neuroticism played a moderating role in the relationship between reduced PTSD symptoms and MDMA treatment. Following MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, increased Openness and decreased Neuroticism when comparing baseline personality traits with long-term follow-up traits also were found. These preliminary findings suggest that the effect of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy extends beyond specific PTSD symptomatology and fundamentally alters personality structure, resulting in long-term persisting personality change. Results are discussed in terms of possible mechanisms of psychotherapeutic change.
Wagner, M. T., Mithoefer, M. C., Mithoefer, A. T., MacAulay, R. K., Jerome, L., Yazar-Klosinski, B., & Doblin, R. (2017). Therapeutic effect of increased openness: Investigating mechanism of action in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 0269881117711712.
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Potential Psychiatric Uses for MDMA

November 9, 2016 / Anxiety disorders / PTSD, Depression, MDMA, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Publications / By / ,

Abstract

Phase 2 trials of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy have demonstrated initial safety and efficacy for treatment of PTSD, with potential for expansion to depression and anxiety disorders. In these trials, single doses of MDMA are administered in a model of medication-assisted psychotherapy, differing from trials involving daily drug administration without psychotherapy. This model presents an opportunity to utilize accelerated regulatory pathways, such as FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation, to most effectively and expeditiously test such novel approaches.

Klosinski, B. B., & Mithoefer, M. C. (2016). Potential Psychiatric Uses for MDMA. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 10.1002/cpt.565
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Investigation of Personality Change Following MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

August 1, 2016 / Anxiety disorders / PTSD, MDMA, Papers, Personal development, Personality, Psychiatry, Psychology, Publications / By / , , , , , ,

Wagner, M., Mithoefer, M., Mithoefer, A., MacAulay, R., Jerome, L., Bazaar-Klosinski, B., & Doblin, R. (2016). B-56Investigation of Personality Change Following MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 31(6), 634-634. 10.1093/arclin/acw043.131
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Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA

April 5, 2016 / Addiction, Anxiety disorders / PTSD, MDMA, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Publications / By / , ,

Abstract

4-phosphorloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (psilocybin) and methylenedioxymethamfetamine (MDMA), best known for their illegal use as psychedelic drugs, are showing promise as therapeutics in a resurgence of clinical research during the past 10 years. Psilocybin is being tested for alcoholism, smoking cessation, and in patients with advanced cancer with anxiety. MDMA is showing encouraging results as a treatment for refractory post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety in autistic adults, and anxiety associated with a life-threatening illness. Both drugs are studied as adjuncts or catalysts to psychotherapy, rather than as stand-alone drug treatments. This model of drug-assisted psychotherapy is a possible alternative to existing pharmacological and psychological treatments in psychiatry. Further research is needed to fully assess the potential of these compounds in the management of these common disorders that are difficult to treat with existing methods.

Mithoefer, M. C., Grob, C. S., & Brewerton, T. D. (2016). Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. The Lancet Psychiatry. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00576-3
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Can ecstasy treat the agony of PTSD?

April 1, 2016 / Anxiety disorders / PTSD, MDMA, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Publications / By /

Abstract

Two serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have received FDA indication for treatment of PTSD, however the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for PTSD is limited. Psychotherapy, including several well established evidence based methods, is the mainstay of PTSD treatment. Despite advances in this area, a significant percentage of PTSD patients are refractory to existing treatments. Recent research has explored the possibility that certain drugs could increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy when administered intermittently in conjunction with psychotherapy sessions. The most robust published. Results to date using this approach have been in early clinical trials of±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy. These studies primarily involved civilians with treatment-resistant, crime-related PTSD. A more recent phase 2 trial, completed in 2015 yielded equally promising. Results in a cohort of military veterans, police officers and firefighters, mostly veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.In these double blind controlled trials subjects with PTSD refractory to prior treatment are randomized to an active dose of MDMA or an active or inactive placebo administered to each individual on only two or three occasions during eight-hour psychotherapy sessions one month apart, in conjunction with preparatory and follow-up psychotherapy sessions. Outcome measures are repeated one or two months after the second MDMA-assisted session before the blind is broken. Subjects who were randomized to full dose MDMA are then eligible for one additional, open label, MDMA-assisted session. Those randomized to placebo or a lower dose of MDMA are eligible for three open-label full dose sessions. Outcome measures are repeated two months following the third MDMA-assisted session. The primary outcome measure is the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Additional measures include the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI).In the original study comparing MDMA with inactive placebo along with the same psychotherapy PTSD was resolved in 83% of the MDMA group vs. 25% of the placebo group receiving the same therapy. Improvement was maintained for at least 74% of subjects at long-term follow-up a mean of 45 months later. In a more recent, unpublished, study both the high dose and the medium dose of MDMA showed large effect sizes in reducing CAPS scores, and improvements in secondary measures: and BDI-II, PSQI, GAF and PTGI.Evidence in phase II trials suggest that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is effective in treating PTSD in both civilians and veterans who have not responded to established treatments. Phase III trials are necessary to definitively establish safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.

Mithoefer, M. (2016). Can ecstasy treat the agony of PTSD?. European Psychiatry, (33), S10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.eurpsy.2016.01.798
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Durability of improvement in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and absence of harmful effects or drug dependency after 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy: a prospective long-term follow-up study

November 20, 2012 / Anxiety disorders / PTSD, MDMA, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy, Publications / By / , , , , , ,

Abstract

We report follow-up data evaluating the long-term outcomes for the first completed trial of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for chronic, treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Mithoefer et al., 2011). All of the 19 subjects who received MDMA-assisted treatment in the original trial participated in the long-term follow-up (LTFU), with 16 out of 19 completing all of the long-term outcome measures, which were administered from 17 to 74 months after the original study’s final MDMA session (mean = 45.4; SD = 17.3). Our primary outcome measure used was the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Secondary outcome measures were the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Neuroticism Extroversion Oppenness Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO PI-R) Personality Inventory. We also collected a long-term follow-up questionnaire. Results for the 16 CAPS completers showed there were no statistical differences between mean CAPS score at LTFU (mean = 23.7; SD = 22.8) (t_matched = 0.1; df = 15, p = 0.91) and the mean CAPS score previously obtained at Study Exit (mean = 24.6, SD = 18.6). On average, subjects maintained statistically and clinically-significant gains in symptom relief, although two of these subjects did relapse. It was promising that we found the majority of these subjects with previously severe PTSD who were unresponsive to existing treatments had symptomatic relief provided by MDMA-assisted psychotherapy that persisted over time, with no subjects reporting harm from participation in the study.

Mithoefer, M.C., Wagner, M. T., Mithoefer, A. T., Jerome, L., Martin, S. F., Yazar-Klosinski, B., … Doblin, R. (2012). Durability of improvement in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and absence of harmful effects or drug dependency after 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-assisted psychotherapy: a prospective long-term follow-up study. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 27(1), 1-12. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269881112456611
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The safety and efficacy of ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamineassisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder

July 19, 2010 / Anxiety disorders / PTSD, MDMA, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy, Publications, Safety / By / , , , ,

Abstract

Case reports indicate that psychiatrists administered 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as a catalyst to psychotherapy before recreational use of MDMA as ‘Ecstasy’ resulted in its criminalization in 1985. Over two decades later, this study is the first completed clinical trial evaluating MDMA as a therapeutic adjunct. Twenty patients with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder, refractory to both psychotherapy and psychopharmacology, were randomly assigned to psychotherapy with concomitant active drug (n¼12) or inactive placebo (n¼8) administered during two 8-h experimental psychotherapy sessions. Both groups received preparatory and follow-up non-drug psychotherapy. The primary outcome measure was the Clinician- Administered PTSD Scale, administered at baseline, 4 days after each experimental session, and 2 months after the second session. Neurocognitive testing, blood pressure, and temperature monitoring were performed. After 2-month follow-up, placebo subjects were offered the option to re-enroll in the experimental procedure with open-label MDMA. Decrease in Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale scores from baseline was significantly greater for the group that received MDMA than for the placebo group at all three time points after baseline. The rate of clinical response was 10/12 (83%) in the active treatment group versus 2/8 (25%) in the placebo group. There were no drug-related serious adverse events, adverse neurocognitive effects or clinically significant blood pressure increases. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy can be administered to posttraumatic stress disorder patients without evidence of harm, and it may be useful in patients refractory to other treatments.

Mithoefer, M. C., Wagner, M. T., Mithoefer, A. T., Jerome, L., & Doblin, R. (2010). The safety and efficacy of ±3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamineassisted psychotherapy in subjects with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder: the first randomized controlled pilot study. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25(4), 439-452. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269881110378371
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30 April - Q&A with Rick Strassman

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