MDMA Advances Another Step As Tool to Treat PTSD
Richard Karel
Psychiatric News November 30, 2017 DOI: 10.1176/appi.pn.2017.pp10b6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA Psilocybin PTSD |
| Keywords | Clinical trial Veterans affairs Psychotherapist Hallucinogen Pharmacology |
| Key points | The FDA granted expedited approval for multiple phase 3 trials of MDMA as a potential "breakthrough therapy" for PTSD after 16 years of preliminary clinical trials. Former APA President Paul Summergrad argues that MDMA's complex history and abuse suggest additional thought should be given to evaluating its clinical efficacy. |
Abstract
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) holds promise to once again become a therapeutic tool. After 16 years of preliminary clinical trials, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late August gave expedited approval for multiple phase 3 trials of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) as a potential "breakthrough therapy" for treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The complex history and abuse of MDMA suggests additional thought be given to the evaluation of its clinical efficacy, says former APA President Paul Summergrad, M.