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Vorobyeva N, Kozlova AA. Three Naturally-Occurring Psychedelics and Their Significance in the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:927984. [PMID: 35837277 PMCID: PMC9274002 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.927984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Classical psychedelics represent a family of psychoactive substances with structural similarities to serotonin and affinity for serotonin receptors. A growing number of studies have found that psychedelics can be effective in treating various psychiatric conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Mental health disorders are extremely prevalent in the general population constituting a major problem for the public health. There are a wide variety of interventions for mental health disorders, including pharmacological therapies and psychotherapies, however, treatment resistance still remains a particular challenge in this field, and relapse rates are also quite high. In recent years, psychedelics have become one of the promising new tools for the treatment of mental health disorders. In this review, we will discuss the three classic serotonergic naturally occurring psychedelics, psilocybin, ibogaine, and N, N-dimethyltryptamine, focusing on their pharmacological properties and clinical potential. The purpose of this article is to provide a focused review of the most relevant research into the therapeutic potential of these substances and their possible integration as alternative or adjuvant options to existing pharmacological and psychological therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Vorobyeva
- Hive Bio Life Sciences Ltd., London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Nataliya Vorobyeva,
| | - Alena A. Kozlova
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Pittenger ST, Swalve N, Chou S, Smith MD, Hoonakker AJ, Pudiak CM, Fleckenstein AE, Hanson GR, Bevins RA. Sex differences in neurotensin and substance P following nicotine self-administration in rats. Synapse 2016; 70:336-46. [PMID: 27074301 DOI: 10.1002/syn.21907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Investigator-administered nicotine alters neurotensin and substance P levels in Sprague-Dawley rats. This finding suggested a role of the dopamine-related endogenous neuropeptides in nicotine addiction. We sought to extend this observation by determining the responses of neurotensin and substance P systems (assessed using radioimmunoassay) in male and female rats following nicotine self-administration (SA). Male and female Sprague-Dawley were trained to self-administer nicotine, or receive saline infusions yoked to a nicotine-administering rat during daily sessions (1-h; 21 days). Brains were extracted 3 h after the last SA session. Nicotine SA increased tissue levels of neurotensin in the males in the anterior and posterior caudate, globus pallidus, frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens core and shell, and ventral tegmental area. Nicotine SA also increased tissue levels of neurotensin in the females in the anterior caudate, globus pallidus, nucleus accumbens core and shell, but not in the posterior caudate, frontal cortex, or ventral tegmental area. There were fewer sex differences observed in the substance P systems. Nicotine SA increased tissue levels of substance P in both the males and females in the posterior caudate, globus pallidus, frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens shell, and ventral tegmental area. A sex difference was observed in the nucleus accumbens core, where nicotine SA increased tissue levels of substance P in the males, yet decreased levels in the females. The regulation of neuropeptides following nicotine SA may play a role in the susceptibility to nicotine dependence in females and males. Synapse 70:336-346, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven T Pittenger
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0308
| | - Natashia Swalve
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0308
| | - Shinnyi Chou
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0308
| | - Misty D Smith
- School of Dentistry, University of Utah, 530 so. Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Skaggs Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112
| | - Amanda J Hoonakker
- School of Dentistry, University of Utah, 530 so. Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108
| | - Cindy M Pudiak
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0308
| | - Annette E Fleckenstein
- School of Dentistry, University of Utah, 530 so. Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108
| | - Glen R Hanson
- School of Dentistry, University of Utah, 530 so. Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Utah, Skaggs Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112
| | - Rick A Bevins
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnett Hall, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68588-0308
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German CL, Alburges ME, Hoonakker AJ, Fleckenstein AE, Hanson GR. Mephedrone alters basal ganglia and limbic dynorphin systems. Synapse 2014; 68:634-640. [PMID: 25155699 DOI: 10.1002/syn.21778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Mephedrone (4-methymethcathinone) is a synthetic cathinone designer drug that disrupts central nervous system (CNS) dopamine (DA) signaling. Numerous central neuropeptide systems reciprocally interact with dopaminergic neurons to provide regulatory counterbalance, and are altered by aberrant DA activity associated with stimulant exposure. Endogenous opioid neuropeptides are highly concentrated within dopaminergic CNS regions and facilitate many rewarding and aversive properties associated with drug use. Dynorphin, an opioid neuropeptide and kappa receptor agonist, causes dysphoria and aversion to drug consumption through signaling within the basal ganglia and limbic systems, which is affected by stimulants. This study evaluated how mephedrone alters basal ganglia and limbic system dynorphin content, and the role of DA signaling in these changes. Repeated mephedrone administrations (4 × 25 mg/kg/injection, 2-h intervals) selectively increased dynorphin content throughout the dorsal striatum and globus pallidus, decreased dynorphin content within the frontal cortex, and did not alter dynorphin content within most limbic system structures. Pretreatment with D1 -like (SCH-23380) or D2 -like (eticlopride) antagonists blocked mephedrone-induced changes in dynorphin content in most regions examined, indicating altered dynorphin activity is a consequence of excessive DA signaling. Synapse 68:634-640, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L German
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Mario E Alburges
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Amanda J Hoonakker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,School of Dentistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Annette E Fleckenstein
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Glen R Hanson
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.,School of Dentistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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German CL, Hoonakker AH, Fleckenstein AE, Hanson GR. Mephedrone alters basal ganglia and limbic neurotensin systems. J Neurochem 2014; 130:402-7. [PMID: 24678634 PMCID: PMC4107087 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is a synthetic cathinone designer drug that alters pre-synaptic dopamine (DA) activity like many psychostimulants. However, little is known about the post-synaptic dopaminergic impacts of mephedrone. The neuropeptide neurotensin (NT) provides inhibitory feedback for basal ganglia and limbic DA pathways, and post-synaptic D1 -like and D2 -like receptor activity affects NT tissue levels. This study evaluated how mephedrone alters basal ganglia and limbic system NT content and the role of NT receptor activation in drug consumption behavior. Four 25 mg/kg injections of mephedrone increased NT content in basal ganglia (striatum, substantia nigra and globus pallidus) and the limbic regions (nucleus accumbens core), while a lower dosage (5 mg/kg/injection) only increased striatal NT content. Mephedrone-induced increases in basal ganglia NT levels were mediated by D1 -like receptors in the striatum and the substantia nigra by both D1 -like and D2 -like receptors in the globus pallidus. Mephedrone increased substance P content, another neuropeptide, in the globus pallidus, but not in the dorsal striatum or substantia nigra. Finally, the NT receptor agonist PD149163 blocked mephedrone self-administration, suggesting reduced NT release, as indicated by increased tissue levels, likely contributing to patterns of mephedrone consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L German
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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