Inhibition of serotonin transporters disrupts the enhancement of fear memory extinction by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Matthew B Young, Seth D. Norrholm, Lara M. Khoury, Tanja Jovanović, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Collin Reiff, Boadie W Dunlop, Barbara O Rothbaum, Leonard L. Howell
Psychopharmacology July 24, 2017 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4684-8 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMDMA enhances the extinction of fear memories in a translational behavioral model, an effect that depends on the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) and the 5-HT2A receptor. These findings support the potential use of MDMA as an adjunct to exposure therapy for fear-related disorders and highlight important pharmacological considerations for patients who are often treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Translational behavioral model Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Serotonin transporter Extinction optical mineralogy Pharmacology Psychology |
| Citations | 103 |
| Key finding | MDMA enhances fear memory extinction, and this effect requires the serotonin transporter and 5-HT2A receptors. |
Abstract
We validate enhancement of fear memory extinction by MDMA in a translational behavioral model, and reveal the importance of 5-HTT and 5-HT2A receptors to this effect. These observations support future clinical research of MDMA as an adjunct to exposure therapy, and provide important pharmacological considerations for clinical use in a population frequently treated with 5-HTT inhibitors.