NMDA receptors and fear extinction: implications for cognitive behavioral therapy.

Abstract

Based primarily on studies that employ Pavlovian fear conditioning, extinction of conditioned fear has been found to be mediated by N-methyi-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the amygdala and medial prefrontal cortex. This led to the discovery that an NMDA partial agonist, D-cycloserine, could facilitate fear extinction when given systemically or locally into the amygdala. Because many forms of cognitive behavioral therapy depend on fear extinction, this led to the successful use of D-cycloserine as an adjunct to psychotherapy in patients with so-called simple phobias (fear of heights), social phobia, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and panic disorder. Data in support of these conclusions are reviewed, along with some of the possible limitations of D-cycloserine as an adjunct to psychotherapy.

• Authors: Michael Davis
• Journal: Dialogues in clinical neuroscience (Dialogues Clin Neurosci) Vol. 13 Issue 4 Pg. 463-74 ( 2011) ISSN: 1294-8322 [Print] England
• PMID: 22275851 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
• Cycloserine

Topics

• Amygdala (drug effects, physiology)
• Animals
• Anxiety Disorders (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Cycloserine (therapeutic use)
• Extinction, Psychological (drug effects, physiology)
• Fear (drug effects, physiology)
• Humans
• Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (agonists, physiology)