A family history of alcoholism is linked to differences in how the brain responds to a drug that blocks NMDA glutamate receptors. Healthy young adults with at least two relatives who had ethanol dependence received intravenous infusions of a low or high dose of ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, or a placebo. Compared to those with no family history of alcoholism, individuals with a family history reported fewer perceptual changes and less dysphoric mood during ketamine infusion. These findings suggest that inherited alterations in NMDA receptor function may influence the subjective effects of alcohol and contribute to the risk of developing alcoholism.
A Phase III trial of MDMA combined with psychotherapy for severe PTSD produced a 24.4-point (55.5%) reduction in PTSD severity, compared with 13.9 points (31.5%) for placebo, and 33% of the MDMA group achieved remission versus 5% of the placebo group. The effect size was large (d > 0.9). MDMA also improved depression and social disability. The commentary notes the study was small for a Phase III trial, raises concerns about unblinding due to MDMA's subjective effects, and calls for larger replication trials, active comparators, and better safety monitoring for neurotoxicity and addiction liability.