Inhibition of serotonin transporters disrupts the enhancement of fear memory extinction by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Matthew B. Young, Seth D. Norrholm, Lara M. Khoury, Tanja Jovanović, Sheila A. M. Rauch, Collin Reiff, Boadie W. Dunlop, Barbara O. Rothbaum, Leonard L. Howell
Psychopharmacology July 24, 2017 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4684-8 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMDMA enhances the extinction of fear memories in a translational behavioral model, an effect that depends on the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) and the 5-HT2A receptor. These findings support the potential use of MDMA as an adjunct to exposure therapy for fear-related disorders and highlight important pharmacological considerations for patients who are often treated with serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Translational behavioral model Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA Serotonin |
| Keywords | Serotonin transporter Extinction optical mineralogy Pharmacology Psychology |
| Citations | 103 |
| Key finding | MDMA enhances fear memory extinction, and this effect requires the serotonin transporter and 5-HT2A receptors. |
Abstract
We validate enhancement of fear memory extinction by MDMA in a translational behavioral model, and reveal the importance of 5-HTT and 5-HT2A receptors to this effect. These observations support future clinical research of MDMA as an adjunct to exposure therapy, and provide important pharmacological considerations for clinical use in a population frequently treated with 5-HTT inhibitors.