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.
American journal of medical genetics. Part B, Neuropsychiatric genetics : the official publication of the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics
June 17, 2025
Clio E Franklin, Murat Altinay, Kala Bailey et al.
2 citations
For treatment-resistant mood disorders, intensive interventions such as electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, ketamine, and esketamine are commonly used, but how genetics influences response to these therapies remains unclear. A review of the current literature finds that most studies have examined single variants in candidate genes, particularly COMT and BDNF, yet none have been consistently reproducible. Genome-wide association studies are few and mostly underpowered, with only one exceeding 1000 participants, yielding few statistically significant single nucleotide polymorphisms outside COMT and BDNF. Large-scale data collection is needed to establish genetic predictors and differentiate responses among treatments, a goal being pursued by the worldwide Gen-ECT-ic consortium.