A single dose of MM120, an oral pharmaceutical formulation of LSD, significantly reduced symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial published Sept. 4 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Here are six things to know:
- The clinical trial enrolled 198 adults aged 18 to 74 with moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder diagnoses across 22 U.S. outpatient psychiatric sites. Participants were randomized to receive a single dose of MM120 of 25, 50, 100 or 200 micrograms or a placebo.
- The study found a statistically significant dose-response relationship when assessing anxiety reduction at week four, as measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale.
- Specifically, the two higher doses of 100 or 200 micrograms led to a statistically significant reduction in anxiety scores by week four. Lower doses of 25 and 50 micrograms did not demonstrate efficacy.
- Researchers identified 100 micrograms as the dose with the best balance of efficacy and tolerability, noting the 200 microgram dose was associated with more adverse events but no additional benefit.
- Improvement in anxiety scores was observed as early as day two and sustained through week 12. Reductions in depressive symptoms and illness severity were also significant in the higher-dose groups.
- The most common adverse events observed in the study groups were visual perceptual changes, nausea and headache, which resolved within 12 hours in nearly all (97.5% of) patients. No serious drug-related adverse events or suicidal behavior or ideation were reported.
