D-cycloserine as an augmentation strategy for cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders: an update.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective intervention for anxiety disorders. However, despite its proven efficacy, some patients fail to respond to an adequate course of treatment. In attempts to improve the efficacy of CBT, researchers have augmented the core learning processes of the intervention with d-cycloserine (DCS), an N-Methyl-D-Aspartate partial agonist. This article reviews the current literature on DCS as an augmentation strategy for CBT for anxiety disorders. We will describe the memory enhancing properties of DCS, review findings from randomized controlled studies of DCS in anxious populations and discuss mechanism, dosing and timing issues.
Department of Psychology, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02215- 2002,USA. shofmann@bu.edu
Stefan G
SG
Hofmann
Alice T
AT
Sawyer
Anu
A
Asnaani
D000818:Animals; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003523:Cycloserine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000819:agonists; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D003523:Cycloserine