1
|
Krupp KT, Yaeger JDW, Ledesma LJ, Withanage MHH, Gale JJ, Howe CB, Allen TJ, Sathyanesan M, Newton SS, Summers CH. Single administration of a psychedelic [(R)-DOI] influences coping strategies to an escapable social stress. Neuropharmacology 2024; 252:109949. [PMID: 38636726 PMCID: PMC11073902 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds have potentially rapid, long-lasting anxiolytic, antidepressive and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated whether the psychedelic compound (R)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine [(R)-DOI], a selective 5-HT2A receptor partial agonist, decreases stress-related behavior in male mice exposed to repeated social aggression. Additionally, we explored the likelihood that these behavioral changes are related to anti-inflammatory properties of [(R)-DOI]. Animals were subjected to the Stress Alternatives Model (SAM), an escapable social stress paradigm in which animals develop reactive coping strategies - remaining in the SAM arena (Stay) with a social aggressor, or dynamically initiated stress coping strategies that involve utilizing the escape holes (Escape) to avoid aggression. Mice expressing these behavioral phenotypes display behaviors like those in other social aggression models that separate animals into stress-vulnerable (as for Stay) or stress-resilient (as for Escape) groups, which have been shown to have distinct inflammatory responses to social stress. These results show that Stay animals have heightened cytokine gene expression, and both Stay and Escape mice exhibit plasma and neural concentrations of the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) compared to unstressed control mice. Additionally, these results suggest that a single administration of (R)-DOI to Stay animals in low doses, can increase stress coping strategies such as increasing attention to the escape route, promoting escape behavior, and reducing freezing during socially aggressive interaction in the SAM. Lower single doses of (R)-DOI, in addition to shifting behavior to suggest anxiolytic effects, also concomitantly reduce plasma and limbic brain levels of the inflammatory cytokine TNFα.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin T Krupp
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA; Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Jazmine D W Yaeger
- Veterans Affairs Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA; Pediatrics and Rare Diseases Group, Sanford Research, Sioux Falls, SD, 57104, USA
| | - Leighton J Ledesma
- Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA; Veterans Affairs Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA
| | | | - J J Gale
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA; Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Chase B Howe
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA
| | - Trevor J Allen
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA
| | - Monica Sathyanesan
- Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Samuel S Newton
- Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA
| | - Cliff H Summers
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, 57069, USA; Neuroscience Group, Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069, USA; Veterans Affairs Research Service, Sioux Falls VA Health Care System, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Campanale A, Inserra A, Comai S. Therapeutic modulation of the kynurenine pathway in severe mental illness and comorbidities: A potential role for serotonergic psychedelics. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111058. [PMID: 38885875 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Mounting evidence points towards a crucial role of the kynurenine pathway (KP) in the altered gut-brain axis (GBA) balance in severe mental illness (SMI, namely depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia) and cardiometabolic comorbidities. Preliminary evidence shows that serotonergic psychedelics and their analogues may hold therapeutic potential in addressing the altered KP in the dysregulated GBA in SMI and comorbidities. In fact, aside from their effects on mood, psychedelics elicit therapeutic improvement in preclinical models of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and vascular inflammation, which are highly comorbid with SMI. Here, we review the literature on the therapeutic modulation of the KP in the dysregulated GBA in SMI and comorbidities, and the potential application of psychedelics to address the altered KP in the brain and systemic dysfunction underlying SMI and comorbidities. Psychedelics might therapeutically modulate the KP in the altered GBA in SMI and comorbidities either directly, via altering the metabolic pathway by influencing the rate-limiting enzymes of the KP and affecting the levels of available tryptophan, or indirectly, by affecting the gut microbiome, gut metabolome, metabolism, and the immune system. Despite promising preliminary evidence, the mechanisms and outcomes of the KP modulation with psychedelics in SMI and systemic comorbidities remain largely unknown and require further investigation. Several concerns are discussed surrounding the potential side effects of this approach in specific cohorts of individuals with SMI and systemic comorbidities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Antonio Inserra
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stefano Comai
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, PD, Italy.; IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tap SC. The potential of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in the treatment of alcohol use disorder: A first look at therapeutic mechanisms of action. Addict Biol 2024; 29:e13386. [PMID: 38600715 PMCID: PMC11007263 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders worldwide with high economic costs. Current treatment options show modest efficacy and relapse rates are high. Furthermore, there are increases in the treatment gap and few new medications have been approved in the past 20 years. Recently, psychedelic-assisted therapy with psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide has garnered significant attention in the treatment of AUD. Yet, they require significant amounts of therapist input due to prolonged subjective effects (~4-12 h) leading to high costs and impeding implementation. Accordingly, there is an increasing interest in the rapid and short-acting psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT). This paper offers a first look at potential therapeutic mechanisms for AUD by reviewing the current literature on 5-MeO-DMT. Primarily, 5-MeO-DMT is able to induce mystical experiences and ego-dissolution together with increases in psychological flexibility and mindfulness. This could decrease AUD symptoms through the alleviation of psychiatric mood-related comorbidities consistent with the negative reinforcement and self-medication paradigms. In addition, preliminary evidence indicates that 5-MeO-DMT modulates neural oscillations that might subserve ego-dissolution (increases in gamma), psychological flexibility and mindfulness (increases in theta), and the reorganization of executive control networks (increases in coherence across frequencies) that could improve emotion regulation and inhibition. Finally, animal studies show that 5-MeO-DMT is characterized by neuroplasticity, anti-inflammation, 5-HT2A receptor agonism, and downregulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 with clinical implications for AUD and psychiatric mood-related comorbidities. The paper concludes with several recommendations for future research to establish the purported therapeutic mechanisms of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephan C. Tap
- Department of PsychiatryGroningen University Medical CenterGroningenThe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barksdale BR, Doss MK, Fonzo GA, Nemeroff CB. The mechanistic divide in psychedelic neuroscience: An unbridgeable gap? Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00322. [PMID: 38278658 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, psychedelics have generated considerable excitement and interest as potential novel therapeutics for an array of conditions, with the most advanced evidence base in the treatment of certain severe and/or treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders. An array of clinical and pre-clinical evidence has informed our current understanding of how psychedelics produce profound alterations in consciousness. Mechanisms of psychedelic action include receptor binding and downstream cellular and transcriptional pathways, with long-term impacts on brain structure and function-from the level of single neurons to large-scale circuits. In this perspective, we first briefly review and synthesize separate lines of research on potential mechanistic processes underlying the acute and long-term effects of psychedelic compounds, with a particular emphasis on highlighting current theoretical models of psychedelic drug action and their relationships to therapeutic benefits for psychiatric and brain-based disorders. We then highlight an existing area of ongoing controversy we argue is directly informed by theoretical models originating from disparate levels of inquiry, and we ultimately converge on the notion that bridging the current chasm in explanatory models of psychedelic drug action across levels of inquiry (molecular, cellular, circuit, and psychological/behavioral) through innovative methods and collaborative efforts will ultimately yield the comprehensive understanding needed to fully capitalize on the potential therapeutic properties of these compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bryan R Barksdale
- Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Manoj K Doss
- Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Gregory A Fonzo
- Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Charles B Nemeroff
- Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Flanagan T, Foster TP, Galbato TE, Lum PY, Louie B, Song G, Halberstadt AL, Billac GB, Nichols CD. Serotonin-2 Receptor Agonists Produce Anti-inflammatory Effects through Functionally Selective Mechanisms That Involve the Suppression of Disease-Induced Arginase 1 Expression. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:478-492. [PMID: 38357283 PMCID: PMC10863441 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Functional selectivity in the context of serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor agonists is often described as differences psychedelic compounds have in the activation of Gq vs β-arrestin signaling in the brain and how that may relate to inducing psychoactive and hallucinatory properties with respect to each other. However, the presence of 5-HT2A receptors throughout the body in several cell types, including endothelial, endocrine, and immune-related tissues, suggests that functional selectivity may exist in the periphery as well. Here, we examine functional selectivity between two 5-HT2A receptor agonists of the phenylalkylamine class: (R)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine [(R)-DOI] and (R)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-trifluoromethylamphetamine [(R)-DOTFM]. Despite comparable in vitro activity at the 5-HT2A receptor as well as similar behavioral potency, (R)-DOTFM does not exhibit an ability to prevent inflammation or elevated airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in an acute murine ovalbumin-induced asthma model as does (R)-DOI. Furthermore, there are distinct differences between protein expression and inflammatory-related gene expression in pulmonary tissues between the two compounds. Using (R)-DOI and (R)-DOTFM as tools, we further elucidated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms underlying the powerful anti-inflammatory effects of certain psychedelics and identified key mechanistic components of the anti-inflammatory effects of psychedelics, including suppression of arginase 1 expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas
W. Flanagan
- Department
of Pharmacology and Experimental TherapeuticsLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew Orleans, Louisiana70112, United States
| | - Timothy P. Foster
- Department
of Microbiology, Immunology, and ParasitologyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew Orleans, Louisiana70112, United States
| | - Thomas E. Galbato
- Department
of Microbiology, Immunology, and ParasitologyLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew Orleans, Louisiana70112, United States
| | - Pek Yee Lum
- Auransa
Inc.Palo Alto, California94301, United States
| | - Brent Louie
- Auransa
Inc.Palo Alto, California94301, United States
| | - Gavin Song
- Auransa
Inc.Palo Alto, California94301, United States
| | - Adam L. Halberstadt
- Department
of PsychiatryUniversity of San Diego, California, San Diego, California92093, United States
| | - Gerald B. Billac
- Department
of Pharmacology and Experimental TherapeuticsLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew Orleans, Louisiana70112, United States
| | - Charles D. Nichols
- Department
of Pharmacology and Experimental TherapeuticsLouisiana State University Health Sciences CenterNew Orleans, Louisiana70112, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Acero VP, Cribas ES, Browne KD, Rivellini O, Burrell JC, O’Donnell JC, Das S, Cullen DK. Bedside to bench: the outlook for psychedelic research. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1240295. [PMID: 37869749 PMCID: PMC10588653 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1240295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
There has recently been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic compounds based on studies demonstrating their potential therapeutic applications in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders, and treatment-resistant depression. Despite promising efficacy observed in some clinical trials, the full range of biological effects and mechanism(s) of action of these compounds have yet to be fully established. Indeed, most studies to date have focused on assessing the psychological mechanisms of psychedelics, often neglecting the non-psychological modes of action. However, it is important to understand that psychedelics may mediate their therapeutic effects through multi-faceted mechanisms, such as the modulation of brain network activity, neuronal plasticity, neuroendocrine function, glial cell regulation, epigenetic processes, and the gut-brain axis. This review provides a framework supporting the implementation of a multi-faceted approach, incorporating in silico, in vitro and in vivo modeling, to aid in the comprehensive understanding of the physiological effects of psychedelics and their potential for clinical application beyond the treatment of psychiatric disorders. We also provide an overview of the literature supporting the potential utility of psychedelics for the treatment of brain injury (e.g., stroke and traumatic brain injury), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases), and gut-brain axis dysfunction associated with psychiatric disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder). To move the field forward, we outline advantageous experimental frameworks to explore these and other novel applications for psychedelics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor P. Acero
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Psychedelics Collaborative, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Emily S. Cribas
- Penn Psychedelics Collaborative, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kevin D. Browne
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Olivia Rivellini
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Psychedelics Collaborative, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Justin C. Burrell
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - John C. O’Donnell
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Penn Psychedelics Collaborative, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Suradip Das
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - D. Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Johnston JN, Kadriu B, Allen J, Gilbert JR, Henter ID, Zarate CA. Ketamine and serotonergic psychedelics: An update on the mechanisms and biosignatures underlying rapid-acting antidepressant treatment. Neuropharmacology 2023; 226:109422. [PMID: 36646310 PMCID: PMC9983360 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of ketamine as a rapid-acting antidepressant spurred significant research to understand its underlying mechanisms of action and to identify other novel compounds that may act similarly. Serotonergic psychedelics (SPs) have shown initial promise in treating depression, though the challenge of conducting randomized controlled trials with SPs and the necessity of long-term clinical observation are important limitations. This review summarizes the similarities and differences between the psychoactive effects associated with both ketamine and SPs and the mechanisms of action of these compounds, with a focus on the monoaminergic, glutamatergic, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic, opioid, and inflammatory systems. Both molecular and neuroimaging aspects are considered. While their main mechanisms of action differ-SPs increase serotonergic signaling while ketamine is a glutamatergic modulator-evidence suggests that the downstream mechanisms of action of both ketamine and SPs include mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling and downstream GABAA receptor activity. The similarities in downstream mechanisms may explain why ketamine, and potentially SPs, exert rapid-acting antidepressant effects. However, research on SPs is still in its infancy compared to the ongoing research that has been conducted with ketamine. For both therapeutics, issues with regulation and proper controls should be addressed before more widespread implementation. This article is part of the Special Issue on "Ketamine and its Metabolites".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenessa N Johnston
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Bashkim Kadriu
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Josh Allen
- The Alfred Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Jessica R Gilbert
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Ioline D Henter
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Carlos A Zarate
- Experimental Therapeutics and Pathophysiology Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|