Effect of Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (Serotonin Release) on Fear Extinction

Serotonin and oxytocin play a role in fear conditioning and fear extinction learning, psychological processes that are critically involved in psychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, administration of oxytocin has been shown to facilitate fear extinction in humans.

Similarly, substances that release serotonin and oxytocin such as MDMA have been shown to enhance the extinction of fear memory in animals. However, there are no data on the effects of MDMA on fear extinction in humans.

Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to investigate the role of acute serotonin release in the effects of fear extinction. MDMA will be used as pharmacological tool to induce serotonin release in this study.

Topic Healthy Subjects
Compound MDMA Placebo
Country Switzerland
Visit trial
Status Completed
Results Published Yes
Start date 18 October 2019
End date 24 December 2020
Chance of happening 100%
Phase Phase I
Design Blinded
Type Interventional
Generation First
Participants 30
Sex Male
Age 18- 50
Therapy No

Trial Details

Serotonin and oxytocin play a role in fear conditioning and fear extinction learning, psychological processes that are critically involved in psychiatric disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, administration of oxytocin has been shown to facilitate fear extinction in humans. Similarly, substances that release serotonin and oxytocin such as MDMA have been shown to enhance the extinction of fear memory in animals. However, there are no data on the effects of MDMA on fear extinction in humans. Therefore, the primary aim of this study is to investigate the role of acute serotonin release in the effects of fear extinction. MDMA will be used as pharmacological tool to induce serotonin release in this study.

NCT Number NCT03527316

Sponsors & Collaborators

University of Basel
The University of Basel Department of Biomedicine hosts the Liechti Lab research group, headed by Matthias Liechti.

Papers

Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine on Conditioned Fear Extinction and Retention in a Crossover Study in Healthy Subjects
This double-blind placebo-controlled study (n=30) found that MDMA (125mg), administrated to healthy subjects, helped reduce fear conditioning in a lab test (versus the placebo). The results were not dependent on the level of oxytocin (which MDMA increased fourfold).

Data attribution

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