title: MDMA as a Probe and Treatment for Social Behaviors.
abstract: MDMA, better known as the recreational drug "ecstasy," is well known for stimulating a feeling of closeness and empathy in its users. We advocate that exploring its mechanism of action could lead to new treatments for psychiatric conditions characterized by impairments in social behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
authors.forename: Boris D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Heifets
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Electronic address: malenka@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Malenka
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000068456:Clinical Studies as Topic; D065546:Drug Liberation; D004645:Empathy / Q000187:drug effects; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine / Q000145:classification / Q000266:history / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D018817:N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine