Harbor-UCLA MDMA Research Update Harbor-UCLA MDMA Research Update
Charles S. Grob, M.D.
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center

Over an 18 month period, 18 subjects entered into our Phase 1 MDMA research study have received extensive evaluation of the effects of MDMA administration. Eight additional subjects with prior MDMA experience, but who were not enrolled in the Phase 1 administration arm of the investigation, received brain scans. Our preliminary findings, although very intriguing, nevertheless represent evaluation of only a relatively small number of subjects. Further study will be necessary to corroborate our preliminary findings and to determine whether the interesting associations we have found between MDMA use and short and long term physiological and psychological effects hold up.

We are currently in the process of obtaining approval and necessary funding for an extension of our Phase 1 research which will investigate the use of serotonin receptor and uptake modulators as a method to better elucidate the mechanism by which MDMA exerts its unique central nervous system effects. Initially, we intend to examine to what degree the serotonin re-uptake blocker fluoxetine will block or alter the effects of MDMA, as measured by subjective psychological rating scale instruments, physiological vital signs (eg. temperature, blood pressure, etc.), pharmacokinetics, neuroendocrine hormonal assays and magnetic resonance spectroscopy scans of the brain. Subsequent to studying the effects of fluoxetine, we will be interested in examining how specific serotonin receptor antagonists alter the effects of MDMA.

Once all necessary approvals for our Phase 1 extension have been secured, we are then planning to approach the relevant regulatory agencies to request permission to initiate a research study designed to examine the effects of MDMA as treatment in a small number of subjects carefully selected from specific patient populations. We are particularly interested in examining the effects of MDMA on patient populations with conditions that do not respond well to conventional treatments, including substance abuse, chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and the psychological distress and physiological pain of individuals with certain end-stage medical illnesses.

We would again like to express our appreciation to MAPS and to those individuals who have generously donated the necessary funding which has allowed us to conduct our Phase 1 MDMA research investigations.