The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a drug containing the chemical LSD as a "breakthrough therapy" in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, following encouraging results from a clinical trial, the biopharmaceutical company Mind Medicine, which developed it, announced today.
The company's representative, Daniel Carlin, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, said that the drug MM120 "provided evidence of clinical efficacy" and now needs to go through the standard approval process at the FDA, including Phase III trials, CNN reports. - Ann (CNN).
Both psilocybin, for treatment-resistant depression, and MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, for post-traumatic stress disorder have been designated as "breakthrough therapies" by the FDA.
A single dose of MM120 led to a 48 percent remission rate of generalized anxiety disorder 12 weeks after administration, according to Mind Medicine.
The company adds that the drug MM120 also significantly improved the clinical picture of generalized anxiety disorder in 65 percent of patients within three months, according to the results of a phase 2b trial designed to test dose levels.
Anxiety is the most common mental disorder in the United States, affecting more than 40 million people age 18 and older each year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.
Generalized anxiety disorder is characterized by excessive, constant thoughts that are difficult to control and interfere with daily activities.
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