Stanford Reward Circuits of the Brain Study – MDMA

This study is a biomarker study designed to characterize how MDMA impacts the reward circuits of the human brain.

Topic Healthy Subjects
Compound MDMA
Country United States of America
Visit trial
Status Not yet recruiting
Results Published
Start date 01 May 2021
End date 01 December 2023
Chance of happening 90%
Phase Not Applicable
Design Open
Type Observational
Generation First
Participants 40
Sex All
Age 18- 55
Therapy No

Trial Details

The investigators will assess the effect of acute MDMA modulation on the functioning of reward-related human brain circuits. Reward-related brain circuits will be assessed using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants will include volunteers who report more than two prior uses of MDMA (also known as Ecstasy), when they were 18 years or older. The investigators will recruit individuals who have previously tried MDMA rather than those who are MDMA-naïve. Participants will receive an oral dose of MDMA (~.75mg/kg and 1.5mg/kg) and placebo (saline) at 3 separate study sessions. Following established procedures, these three sessions will be randomized in a blinded protocol in order to limit expectancy effects. Throughout each session, participants will be monitored. Functional imaging will commence after the drug has reached peak levels, following previously established time courses for MDMA administered orally. Participants will also be monitored after the functional imaging session. Secondary effects of MDMA on behavior and self-reported experience will be assessed. In the assessment of the acute effects of MDMA, the investigators will take into account the cumulative effects of prior drug exposure.

NCT Number NCT04060108

Sponsors & Collaborators

Stanford University
Researchers at Stanford are exploring the potential of ketamine, MDMA and psilocybin by connecting neuroscience, psychiatry and anesthesiology.

National Institute on Drug Abuse
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Data attribution

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