Gregory A Fonzo

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Fonzo, Barksdale, Nemeroff) and Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy (Fonzo, Nemeroff), University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin; Institute for Early Life Adversity Research, University of Texas at Austin, Austin (Fonzo, Nemeroff); Department of Behavioral Health, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD (Wolfgang); Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD (Wolfgang); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (Wolfgang, Krystal); Butler Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI (Carpenter); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham (Kraguljac); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles (Grzenda); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta (McDonald); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (Widge); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA (Rodriguez); Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA (Rodriguez).

4 papers in the library · 61 citations · publishing 2024-2026

Papers

MDMA and MDMA-Assisted Therapy.

The American journal of psychiatry January 1, 2025 Aaron S Wolfgang, Gregory A Fonzo, Joshua C Gray et al. 47 citations

MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) using pharmaceutical-grade MDMA in controlled clinical settings is a safe and efficacious treatment for PTSD. After three MDMA administrations supported by psychotherapy, 67%–71% of individuals with PTSD no longer meet diagnostic criteria, compared with 32%–48% for placebo-assisted therapy, and effects persist at long-term follow-up. Unlike recreational use, which is confounded by adulterants and lack of precautions, MDMA-AT uniquely induces prosocial effects of trust and self-compassion while maintaining cognitive clarity. The review distinguishes evidence from recreational and therapeutic settings, describes neurobiological mechanisms, clinical evidence, public health and policy considerations, and future research directions.

DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230681 Full text Major depressive disorder PTSD Molly Methylenedioxymethamphetamine +6

How Psychedelics Modulate Multiple Memory Mechanisms in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Drugs November 1, 2024 Manoj K Doss, Annamarie Demarco, Joseph E Dunsmoor et al. 14 citations

PTSD involves abnormalities in memory, and psychedelics may help treat it by affecting multiple memory systems. Most research has focused on fear conditioning and extinction, which are limited models. A review of 25 studies found that the acute effects of psychedelics can enhance extinction learning, which is impaired in PTSD, though they may also enhance fear conditioning. Post-acute effects may also boost extinction learning. PTSD and psychedelics both impair hippocampal-dependent episodic memory formation, but psychedelics may enhance cortical-dependent semantic learning, potentially helping integrate trauma memories and disrupt maladaptive beliefs. More research is needed on episodic memory consolidation, retrieval, and reconsolidation, and on post-acute effects across all memory phases.

DOI: 10.1007/s40265-024-02106-4 Full text

Challenges with clinical trial participants in studies with classical psychedelics: A position statement from the National Network of Depression Centers' task group on psychedelics and related compounds.

Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) February 5, 2026 Benjamin R Lewis, Matthew J Reid, Andrew M Novick et al.

Clinical trials of classical psychedelics like psilocybin for mental health conditions face unique challenges that may persist if these treatments enter clinical practice. Four categories of challenges with trial participants are identified: treatment nonresponse, expectancy effects and functional unblinding, post-session psychological difficulties, and contagion effects. Management strategies for study teams to mitigate these risks are described. The National Network of Depression Centers and similar organizations can guide best practices to responsibly advance this promising field.

DOI: 10.1177/02698811251413490 Full text Depression Psilocybin Mood disorders Psychedelics +1

Age-related moderation of adjunctive psychotherapy and early life stress effects on depression symptom reductions following ketamine treatment: Initial insights from a large, naturalistic sample.

Journal of affective disorders February 4, 2026 Raquel Kosted, Alli Waddell, Ken Adolph et al.

Depression symptoms improved over time in patients receiving five ketamine infusions, with faster initial improvement that slowed later. Higher scores on the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) survey were linked to greater symptom reduction, regardless of whether patients received ketamine-assisted therapy or infusions alone. Younger adults showed a stronger response to infusions alone compared to ketamine-assisted therapy, while older adults showed the opposite pattern. The association between higher ACE scores and greater symptom reduction was particularly pronounced in younger adults and reversed in older adults. These findings suggest ketamine may offer a targeted benefit for people with early life stress, especially younger adults.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2026.121350 Full text Depression Major depressive disorder Adverse childhood experiences Early life stress +1