Facilitation of fear extinction by D-cycloserine: theoretical and clinical implications.
Anxiety disorders are among the most common psychological disturbances in the industrialized world. Current behavioral therapy procedures for these disorders are somewhat effective, but their efficacy could be substantially improved. Because these procedures are largely based on the process of extinction, manipulations that enhance extinction may lead to improvements in treatment effectiveness. We review the evidence that D-cycloserine (DCS), a partial NMDA agonist, facilitates extinction of learned fear in rats. Although only a few studies have examined the effects of DCS on extinction of learned fear, this work suggests that this drug may have a number of potential clinical benefits. In addition, attempts at interpreting this research illustrate our limited understanding of the processes involved in extinction.
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia. r.richardson@unsw.edu.au
Rick
R
Richardson
Lana
L
Ledgerwood
Jacquelyn
J
Cranney
D000818:Animals; D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy; D001245:Association Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects; D003463:Cues; D003523:Cycloserine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005108:Extinction, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects*; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D051381:Rats
D000963:Antimetabolites; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D003523:Cycloserine