On September 26, the ninth subject was treated in our ongoing study of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety in 12 adults on the autism spectrum. Sponsored by MAPS, this is a collaborative study between MAPS and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, with blood plasma biomarker analysis being conducted by researchers at Stanford University. “One of the key factors contributing to this study running smoothly since it began in April 2014 has been early and ongoing consultation with members of the autism community, and with autistic individuals who provide professional support services for other adults on the autism spectrum,” write Principal Investigator Charles Grob, M.D., and Co-Investigator Alicia Danforth, Ph.D., in their upcoming report for the Winter 2015 MAPS Bulletin. “Detaching from preconceived notions and stereotypes about autism has been one of the most effective foundations for building therapeutic alliances.”
