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Hutten NRPW, Quaedflieg CWEM, Mason NL, Theunissen EL, Liechti ME, Duthaler U, Kuypers KPC, Bonnelle V, Feilding A, Ramaekers JG. Inter-individual variability in neural response to low doses of LSD. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:288. [PMID: 39009578 PMCID: PMC11251148 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-03013-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The repeated use of small doses of psychedelics (also referred to as "microdosing") to facilitate benefits in mental health, cognition, and mood is a trending practice. Placebo-controlled studies however have largely failed to demonstrate strong benefits, possibly because of large inter-individual response variability. The current study tested the hypothesis that effects of low doses of LSD on arousal, attention and memory depend on an individual's cognitive state at baseline. Healthy participants (N = 53) were randomly assigned to receive repeated doses of LSD (15 mcg) or placebo on 4 occasions divided over 2 weeks. Each treatment condition also consisted of a baseline and a 1-week follow-up visit. Neurophysiological measures of arousal (resting state EEG), pre-attentive processing (auditory oddball task), and perceptual learning and memory (visual long-term potentiation (LTP) paradigm) were assessed at baseline, dosing session 1 and 4, and follow-up. LSD produced stimulatory effects as reflected by a reduction in resting state EEG delta, theta, and alpha power, and enhanced pre-attentive processing during the acute dosing sessions. LSD also blunted the induction of LTP on dosing session 4. Stimulatory effects of LSD were strongest in individuals with low arousal and attention at baseline, while inhibitory effects were strongest in high memory performers at baseline. Decrements in delta EEG power and enhanced pre-attentive processing in the LSD treatment condition were still present during the 1-week follow-up. The current study demonstrates across three cognitive domains, that acute responses to low doses of LSD depend on the baseline state and provides some support for LSD induced neuroadaptations that sustain beyond treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia R P W Hutten
- Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Conny W E M Quaedflieg
- Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Natasha L Mason
- Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Eef L Theunissen
- Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Urs Duthaler
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kim P C Kuypers
- Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Johannes G Ramaekers
- Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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2
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Casanova AF, Ort A, Smallridge JW, Preller KH, Seifritz E, Vollenweider FX. The influence of psilocybin on subconscious and conscious emotional learning. iScience 2024; 27:110034. [PMID: 38883812 PMCID: PMC11177198 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics hold promise as a treatment modality for various psychiatric disorders and are currently applied in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. We investigated the learning effects of the serotonin receptor agonist psilocybin in a probabilistic cue-reward task with emotional cues in the form of neutral or fearful faces, presented either consciously or subconsciously. This study represents the first investigation into reinforcement learning with psilocybin. Across different dosages, psilocybin preserved learning effects and was statistically noninferior compared to placebo, while suggesting a higher exploratory behavior. Notably, the 20 mg group exhibited significantly better learning rates against the placebo group. Psilocybin induced inferior results with subconscious cues compared to placebo, and better results with conscious neutral cues in some conditions. These findings suggest that modulating serotonin signaling in the brain with psilocybin sufficiently preservers reinforcement learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea F Casanova
- Neurophenomenology of Consciousness Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andres Ort
- Neurophenomenology of Consciousness Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John W Smallridge
- Neurophenomenology of Consciousness Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katrin H Preller
- Neurophenomenology of Consciousness Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Franz X Vollenweider
- Neurophenomenology of Consciousness Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Romeo B, Kervadec E, Fauvel B, Strika-Bruneau L, Amirouche A, Verroust V, Piolino P, Benyamina A. Safety and risk assessment of psychedelic psychotherapy: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Psychiatry Res 2024; 335:115880. [PMID: 38579460 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Psychotherapies assisted by psychedelic substances have shown promising results in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate safety data in human subjects. We carried out a search on MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO databases between 2000 and 2022. Standardized mean differences between different dose ranges and between acute and subacute phases were calculated for cardiovascular data after psychedelic administration. Risk differences were calculated for serious adverse events and common side effects. Thirty studies were included in this meta-analysis. There were only nine serious adverse events for over 1000 administrations of psychedelic substances (one during the acute phase and 8 during the post-acute phase). There were no suicide attempts during the acute phase and 3 participants engaged in self-harm during the post-acute phase. There was an increased risk for elevated heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure for all dose range categories, as well as an increased risk of nausea during the acute phase. Other common side effects included headaches, anxiety, and decreased concentration or appetite. This meta-analysis demonstrates that psychedelics are well-tolerated, with a low risk of emerging serious adverse events in a controlled setting with appropriate inclusion criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Romeo
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France.
| | - E Kervadec
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France
| | - B Fauvel
- Laboratoire Mémoire, Cerveau et Cognition (UR 7536), Institut de Psychologie, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - L Strika-Bruneau
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France
| | - A Amirouche
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France
| | - V Verroust
- Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France; Université Picardie-Jules Verne, France
| | - P Piolino
- Laboratoire Mémoire, Cerveau et Cognition (UR 7536), Institut de Psychologie, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - A Benyamina
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France
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Nikolič M, Viktorin V, Zach P, Tylš F, Dudysová D, Janků K, Kopřivová J, Kuchař M, Brunovský M, Horáček J, Páleníček T. Psilocybin intoxication did not affect daytime or sleep-related declarative memory consolidation in a small sample exploratory analysis. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 74:78-88. [PMID: 37336163 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Psilocybin is investigated as a fast-acting antidepressant used in conjunction with psychotherapy. Intact cognitive functions, including memory, are one of the basic conditions of effective psychedelic-assisted therapy. While cognitive and memory processing is attenuated on various domains during psilocybin intoxication, the effect of psilocybin on the consolidation of memories learned outside of acute intoxication is not known. Thus the main aim of the current study was to test the effects of psilocybin on (A) memory consolidation of previously learned material just after the psilocybin session and (B) on overnight memory consolidation the night just after the psilocybin session. 20 healthy volunteers (10 M/10F) were enrolled in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over design. Effects on declarative memory consolidation in condition (A) The Groton Maze Learning Task and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test were used, and for (B) the Pair Associative Learning Test was used. We did not find psilocybin to improve memory consolidation. At the same time, we did not find psilocybin to negatively affect memory consolidation in any of the tests used. This evidence adds to the safety profile for the use of psilocybin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Nikolič
- Psychedelic Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic; 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Vojtěch Viktorin
- Psychedelic Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic; 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Zach
- Psychedelic Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic; 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic; 3rd Sleep Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic; Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6, 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Tylš
- Psychedelic Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic; 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Daniela Dudysová
- 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic; 3rd Sleep Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Janků
- 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic; 3rd Sleep Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Kopřivová
- 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic; 3rd Sleep Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Psychedelic Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic; Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology, Technická 5, Prague 6, 166 28, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Brunovský
- 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Horáček
- Psychedelic Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic; 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Páleníček
- Psychedelic Research Centre, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, Klecany, 250 67, Czech Republic; 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, Prague 10, 100 00, Czech Republic.
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5
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Dondé C, Kantrowitz JT, Medalia A, Saperstein AM, Balla A, Sehatpour P, Martinez A, O'Connell MN, Javitt DC. Early auditory processing dysfunction in schizophrenia: Mechanisms and implications. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 148:105098. [PMID: 36796472 PMCID: PMC10106448 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a major mental disorder that affects approximately 1% of the population worldwide. Cognitive deficits are a key feature of the disorder and a primary cause of long-term disability. Over the past decades, significant literature has accumulated demonstrating impairments in early auditory perceptual processes in schizophrenia. In this review, we first describe early auditory dysfunction in schizophrenia from both a behavioral and neurophysiological perspective and examine their interrelationship with both higher order cognitive constructs and social cognitive processes. Then, we provide insights into underlying pathological processes, especially in relationship to glutamatergic and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction models. Finally, we discuss the utility of early auditory measures as both treatment targets for precision intervention and as translational biomarkers for etiological investigation. Altogether, this review points out the crucial role of early auditory deficits in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, in addition to major implications for early intervention and auditory-targeted approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clément Dondé
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; INSERM, U1216, F-38000 Grenoble, France; Psychiatry Department, CHU Grenoble Alpes, F-38000 Grenoble, France; Psychiatry Department, CH Alpes-Isère, F-38000 Saint-Egrève, France.
| | - Joshua T Kantrowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, United States; Schizophrenia Research Center, Nathan Kline Institute, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962, United States
| | - Alice Medalia
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York Presbyterian, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Alice M Saperstein
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York Presbyterian, New York, NY 10032, United States
| | - Andrea Balla
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, United States
| | - Pejman Sehatpour
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, United States; Division of Experimental Therapeutics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Antigona Martinez
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, United States; Division of Experimental Therapeutics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Monica N O'Connell
- Translational Neuroscience Division, Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, United States
| | - Daniel C Javitt
- Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, United States; Division of Experimental Therapeutics, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.
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6
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Javitt DC. Cognitive Impairment Associated with Schizophrenia: From Pathophysiology to Treatment. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 2023; 63:119-141. [PMID: 36151052 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-051921-093250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia and a major contributor to poor functional outcomes. Methods for assessment of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia are now well established. In addition, there has been increasing appreciation in recent years of the additional role of social cognitive impairment in driving functional outcomes and of the contributions of sensory-level dysfunction to higher-order impairments. At the neurochemical level, acute administration of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists reproduces the pattern of neurocognitive dysfunction associated with schizophrenia, encouraging the development of treatments targeted at both NMDAR and its interactome. At the local-circuit level, an auditory neurophysiological measure, mismatch negativity, has emerged both as a veridical index of NMDAR dysfunction and excitatory/inhibitory imbalance in schizophrenia and as a critical biomarker for early-stage translational drug development. Although no compounds have yet been approved for treatment of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia, several candidates are showing promise in early-phase testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Javitt
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; .,Schizophrenia Research Division, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, New York, USA
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7
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The Altered States Database: Psychometric data from a systematic literature review. Sci Data 2022; 9:720. [PMID: 36418335 PMCID: PMC9684144 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01822-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we present the development of the Altered States Database (ASDB), an open-science project based on a systematic literature review. The ASDB contains psychometric questionnaire data on subjective experiences of altered states of consciousness (ASC) induced by pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. The systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Scientific journal articles were identified through PubMed and Web of Science. We included studies that examined ASC using the following validated questionnaires: Altered States of Consciousness Rating Scale (APZ, 5D-ASC, 11-ASC), Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS), or Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30). The systematic review resulted in the inclusion of a total of 165 journal articles, whereof questionnaire data was extracted and is now available on the Open Science Framework (OSF) website (https://osf.io/8mbru) and on the ASDB website (http://alteredstatesdb.org), where questionnaire data can be easily retrieved and visualized. This data allows the calculation of comparable psychometric values of ASC experiences and of dose-response relationships of substances inducing ASC. Measurement(s) | Psychometric questionnaire data | Technology Type(s) | Systematic literature review (PRISMA) | Sample Characteristic - Organism | Human |
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Wu L, Chen Y, Liu X, Fang P, Feng T, Sun K, Ren L, Liang W, Lu H, Lin X, Li Y, Wang L, Li C, Zhang T, Ni C, Wu S. The influence of job burnout on the attention ability of army soldiers and officers: Evidence from ERP. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:992537. [PMID: 36419460 PMCID: PMC9676458 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.992537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Job burnout is one of the most widespread mental problems in today's society and seriously affects the mental health and combat effectiveness of soldiers and officers. Herein, the effect of burnout on individual attention is studied from the perspective of neuroelectrophysiology. A total of 1,155 army soldiers and officers were included in this investigation and completed the Job Burnout Scale for Military Personnel. A total of 42 soldiers and officers were randomly selected from those with and without burnout to participate in an event-related potential (ERP) study using a visual oddball task. The characteristics of visual P3a and P3b at Fz, FCz, Cz, CPz, and Pz were recorded and analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). P < 0.05 was the criterion for a significant difference. The total average score on the Job Burnout Scale for Military Personnel among the participants was 0.74 ± 0.46, and the detection rate of job burnout was 29.85%. In the Oddball task, the average number of target stimuli counted in the burnout group was lower than that in the control group, but no significant difference was found. For P3a, the Fz, FCz, Cz, CPz, and Pz amplitudes in the burnout group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The average amplitude of P3a evoked in the central parietal area was larger than that in the prefrontal area. For P3b, the amplitudes of the five electrodes in the burnout group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The average amplitude of P3b evoked in the parietal region was larger than those in the prefrontal and central parietal regions. A certain degree of job burnout is evident in army soldiers and officers. The voluntary attention and involuntary attention of individuals with burnout are both affected to some extent, as reflected by the lower amplitudes of P3a and P3b. The results suggest that P3a and P3b can be used as indicators to monitor cognitive neural function in soldiers and officers with burnout and can also be used as references for evaluating the effects of cognitive training and screening methods. In this study, ERP was used to research the attention ability of soldiers and officers with job burnout, and related issues were discussed from the aspects of the burnout results, behavioral results, ERP results, compensation effect of cognitive resources, application in the military field, limitations, and prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yanfeng Chen
- Nursing School, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xufeng Liu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Peng Fang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Tingwei Feng
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Kewei Sun
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lei Ren
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wei Liang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Huijie Lu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Xinxin Lin
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yijun Li
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chenxi Li
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Tian Zhang
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chunping Ni
- Nursing School, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shengjun Wu
- Department of Military Medical Psychology, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
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9
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Viktorin V, Griškova-Bulanova I, Voicikas A, Dojčánová D, Zach P, Bravermanová A, Andrashko V, Tylš F, Korčák J, Viktorinová M, Koudelka V, Hájková K, Kuchař M, Horáček J, Brunovský M, Páleníček T. Psilocybin—Mediated Attenuation of Gamma Band Auditory Steady-State Responses (ASSR) Is Driven by the Intensity of Cognitive and Emotional Domains of Psychedelic Experience. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12061004. [PMID: 35743788 PMCID: PMC9225116 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12061004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Psilocybin is a classical serotoninergic psychedelic that induces cognitive disruptions similar to psychosis. Gamma activity is affected in psychosis and is tightly related to cognitive processing. The 40 Hz auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) are frequently used as indicators to test the ability to generate gamma activity. Based on previous literature, we studied the impact of psilocybin on 40 Hz ASSR in healthy volunteers. The study was double blind and placebo controlled with a crossover design. A sample of 20 healthy subjects (10M/10F) received psilocybin orally 0.26 mg/kg or placebo. Participants were measured four times in total, one time before ingestion of psilocybin/placebo and one time after ingestion, during the peak of intoxication. A series of 500 ms click trains were used for stimulation. Psilocybin induced a psychedelic effect and decreased 40 Hz ASSR phase-locking index compared to placebo. The extent of the attenuation was related to Cognition and Affect on the Hallucinogen Rating Scale. The current study shows that psilocybin lowers the synchronization level and the amplitude of 40 Hz auditory steady-state responses, which yields further support for the role of gamma oscillations in cognitive processing and its disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtěch Viktorin
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 2411, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Inga Griškova-Bulanova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
- Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, 7 Saulėtekio Ave, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania;
- Correspondence: (I.G.-B.); (T.P.)
| | - Aleksandras Voicikas
- Institute of Biosciences, Vilnius University, 7 Saulėtekio Ave, 10257 Vilnius, Lithuania;
| | - Dominika Dojčánová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 2411, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Zach
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Anna Bravermanová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
- First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Kateřinská 32, 121 08 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Andrashko
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 2411, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Tylš
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 2411, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Korčák
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Michaela Viktorinová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 2411, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Vlastimil Koudelka
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Kateřina Hájková
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic; (K.H.); (M.K.)
| | - Martin Kuchař
- Forensic Laboratory of Biologically Active Substances, Department of Chemistry of Natural Compounds, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague, Czech Republic; (K.H.); (M.K.)
| | - Jiří Horáček
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 2411, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Brunovský
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 2411, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Páleníček
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic; (V.V.); (D.D.); (P.Z.); (A.B.); (V.A.); (F.T.); (J.K.); (M.V.); (V.K.); (J.H.); (M.B.)
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 2411, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: (I.G.-B.); (T.P.)
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10
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Murray CH, Tare I, Perry CM, Malina M, Lee R, de Wit H. Low doses of LSD reduce broadband oscillatory power and modulate event-related potentials in healthy adults. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1735-1747. [PMID: 34613430 PMCID: PMC9847217 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05991-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Classical psychedelics, including psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), are under investigation as potential therapeutic agents in psychiatry. Whereas most studies utilize relatively high doses, there are also reports of beneficial effects of "microdosing," or repeated use of very low doses of these drugs. The behavioral and neural effects of these low doses are not fully understood. OBJECTIVES To examine the effects of LSD (13 μg and 26 μg) versus placebo on resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potential (ERP) responses in healthy adults. METHODS Twenty-two healthy men and women, 18 to 35 years old, participated in 3 EEG sessions in which they received placebo or LSD (13 μg and 26 μg) under double-blind conditions. During each session, participants completed drug effect and mood questionnaires at hourly intervals, and physiological measures were recorded. During expected peak drug effect, EEG recordings were obtained, including resting-state neural oscillations in scalp electrodes over default mode network (DMN) regions and P300, N170, and P100 ERPs evoked during a visual oddball paradigm. RESULTS LSD dose-dependently reduced oscillatory power across delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands during both eyes closed and eyes open resting conditions. During the oddball task, LSD dose-dependently reduced ERP amplitudes for P300 and N170 components and increased P100 latency. LSD also produced dose-related increases in positive mood, elation, energy, and anxiety and increased heart rate and blood pressure. On a measure of altered states of consciousness, LSD dose-dependently increased Blissful State, but not other indices of perceptual or sensory effects typical of psychedelic drugs. The subjective effects of the drug were not correlated with the EEG measures. CONCLUSIONS Low doses of LSD produced broadband cortical desynchronization over the DMN during resting state and reduced P300 and N170 amplitudes, patterns similar to those reported with higher doses of psychedelics. Notably, these neurophysiological effects raise the possibility that very low doses of LSD may produce subtle behavioral and perhaps therapeutic effects that do not rely on the full psychedelic experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor H Murray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave MC3077, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Ilaria Tare
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave MC3077, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Claire M Perry
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave MC3077, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Michael Malina
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave MC3077, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Royce Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave MC3077, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Harriet de Wit
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave MC3077, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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11
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Vollenweider FX, Smallridge JW. Classic Psychedelic Drugs: Update on Biological
Mechanisms. PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY 2022; 55:121-138. [PMID: 35079988 PMCID: PMC9110100 DOI: 10.1055/a-1721-2914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Renewed interest in the effects of psychedelics in the treatment of psychiatric
disorders warrants a better understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms
underlying the effects of these substances. During the past two decades,
state-of-the-art studies of animals and humans have yielded new important
insights into the molecular, cellular, and systems-level actions of psychedelic
drugs. These efforts have revealed that psychedelics affect primarily
serotonergic receptor subtypes located in cortico-thalamic and cortico-cortical
feedback circuits of information processing. Psychedelic drugs modulate
excitatory-inhibitory balance in these circuits and can participate in
neuroplasticity within brain structures critical for the integration of
information relevant to sensation, cognition, emotions, and the narrative of
self. Neuroimaging studies showed that characteristic dimensions of the
psychedelic experience obtained through subjective questionnaires as well as
alterations in self-referential processing and emotion regulation obtained
through neuropsychological tasks are associated with distinct changes in brain
activity and connectivity patterns at multiple-system levels. These recent
results suggest that changes in self-experience, emotional processing, and
social cognition may contribute to the potential therapeutic effects of
psychedelics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz X. Vollenweider
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry,
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich,
Zurich, Switzerland
| | - John W. Smallridge
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry,
Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich,
Zurich, Switzerland
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12
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A Research Domain Criteria (RDoC)-Guided Dashboard to Review Psilocybin Target Domains: A Systematic Review. CNS Drugs 2022; 36:1031-1047. [PMID: 36097251 PMCID: PMC9550777 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00944-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preliminary results from randomized controlled studies as well as identified molecular, cellular, and circuit targets of select psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin) suggest that their effects are transdiagnostic. In this review, we exploit the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) transdiagnostic framework, to synthesize extant literature on psilocybin. OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify RDoC-based effects of psilocybin and vistas for future mechanistic and interventional research. METHODS A systematic search in electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) performed in January and February 2021 identified English articles published between 1990 and 2020 reporting the effects of psilocybin on mental health measures. Data from included articles were retrieved and organized according to the RDoC bio-behavioral matrix and its constituent six main domains, namely: positive valence systems, negative valence systems, cognitive systems, social processes, sensorimotor systems, and arousal and regulatory systems. RESULTS The preponderance of research with psilocybin has differentially reported beneficial effects on positive valence systems, negative valence system, and social process domains. The data from the included studies support both short-term (23 assessments) and long-term (15 assessments) beneficial effects of psilocybin on the positive valence systems. While 12 of the extracted outcome measures suggest that psilocybin use is associated with increases in the "fear" construct of the negative valence systems domain, 19 findings show no significant effects on this construct, and seven parameters show lowered levels of the "sustained threat" construct in the long term. Thirty-four outcome measures revealed short-term alterations in the social systems' construct namely, "perception and understanding of self," and "social communications" as well as enhancements in "perception and understanding of others" and "affiliation and attachment". The majority of findings related to the cognitive systems' domain reported dyscognitive effects. There have been relatively few studies reporting outcomes of psilocybin on the remaining RDoC domains. Moreover, seven of the included studies suggest the transdiagnostic effects of psilocybin. The dashboard characterization of RDoC outcomes with psilocybin suggests beneficial effects in the measures of reward, threat, and arousal, as well as general social systems. CONCLUSIONS Psilocybin possesses a multi-domain effectiveness. The field would benefit from highly rigorous proof-of-mechanism research to assess the effects of psilocybin using the RDoC framework. The combined effect of psilocybin with psychosocial interventions with RDoC-based outcomes is a priority therapeutic vista.
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13
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Sarasso S, Casali AG, Casarotto S, Rosanova M, Sinigaglia C, Massimini M. Consciousness and complexity: a consilience of evidence. Neurosci Conscious 2021; 2021:niab023. [PMID: 38496724 PMCID: PMC10941977 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niab023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the last years, a surge of empirical studies converged on complexity-related measures as reliable markers of consciousness across many different conditions, such as sleep, anesthesia, hallucinatory states, coma, and related disorders. Most of these measures were independently proposed by researchers endorsing disparate frameworks and employing different methods and techniques. Since this body of evidence has not been systematically reviewed and coherently organized so far, this positive trend has remained somewhat below the radar. The aim of this paper is to make this consilience of evidence in the science of consciousness explicit. We start with a systematic assessment of the growing literature on complexity-related measures and identify their common denominator, tracing it back to core theoretical principles and predictions put forward more than 20 years ago. In doing this, we highlight a consistent trajectory spanning two decades of consciousness research and provide a provisional taxonomy of the present literature. Finally, we consider all of the above as a positive ground to approach new questions and devise future experiments that may help consolidate and further develop a promising field where empirical research on consciousness appears to have, so far, naturally converged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Sarasso
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ‘L. Sacco’, University of Milan, Milan 20157, Italy
| | - Adenauer Girardi Casali
- Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Sao Jose dos Campos, 12247-014, Brazil
| | - Silvia Casarotto
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ‘L. Sacco’, University of Milan, Milan 20157, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan 20148, Italy
| | - Mario Rosanova
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ‘L. Sacco’, University of Milan, Milan 20157, Italy
| | | | - Marcello Massimini
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ‘L. Sacco’, University of Milan, Milan 20157, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan 20148, Italy
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14
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Duerler P, Brem S, Fraga-González G, Neef T, Allen M, Zeidman P, Stämpfli P, Vollenweider FX, Preller KH. Psilocybin Induces Aberrant Prediction Error Processing of Tactile Mismatch Responses-A Simultaneous EEG-FMRI Study. Cereb Cortex 2021; 32:186-196. [PMID: 34255821 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhab202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
As source of sensory information, the body provides a sense of agency and self/non-self-discrimination. The integration of bodily states and sensory inputs with prior beliefs has been linked to the generation of bodily self-consciousness. The ability to detect surprising tactile stimuli is essential for the survival of an organism and for the formation of mental body representations. Despite the relevance for a variety of psychiatric disorders characterized by altered body and self-perception, the neurobiology of these processes is poorly understood. We therefore investigated the effect of psilocybin (Psi), known to induce alterations in self-experience, on tactile mismatch responses by combining pharmacological manipulations with simultaneous electroencephalography-functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) recording. Psi reduced activity in response to tactile surprising stimuli in frontal regions, the visual cortex, and the cerebellum. Furthermore, Psi reduced tactile mismatch negativity EEG responses at frontal electrodes, associated with alterations of body- and self-experience. This study provides first evidence that Psi alters the integration of tactile sensory inputs through aberrant prediction error processing and highlights the importance of the 5-HT2A system in tactile deviancy processing as well as in the integration of bodily and self-related stimuli. These findings may have important implications for the treatment of psychiatric disorders characterized by aberrant bodily self-awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Duerler
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Brem
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital for Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Gorka Fraga-González
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital for Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Tiffany Neef
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Micah Allen
- Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.,Center of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.,Cambridge Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 8AH, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Zeidman
- Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging, University College London, London WC1N 3AR, United Kingdom
| | - Philipp Stämpfli
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Franz X Vollenweider
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich 8032, Switzerland
| | - Katrin H Preller
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Zurich 8032, Switzerland
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15
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Banks MI, Zahid Z, Jones NT, Sultan ZW, Wenthur CJ. Catalysts for change: the cellular neurobiology of psychedelics. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:1135-1144. [PMID: 34043427 PMCID: PMC8351556 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e20-05-0340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for treating psychiatric disorders has rekindled efforts to elucidate their mechanism of action. In this Perspective, we focus on the ability of psychedelics to promote neural plasticity, postulated to be central to their therapeutic activity. We begin with a brief overview of the history and behavioral effects of the classical psychedelics. We then summarize our current understanding of the cellular and subcellular mechanisms underlying these drugs' behavioral effects, their effects on neural plasticity, and the roles of stress and inflammation in the acute and long-term effects of psychedelics. The signaling pathways activated by psychedelics couple to numerous potential mechanisms for producing long-term structural changes in the brain, a complexity that has barely begun to be disentangled. This complexity is mirrored by that of the neural mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders and the transformations of consciousness, mood, and behavior that psychedelics promote in health and disease. Thus, beyond changes in the brain, psychedelics catalyze changes in our understanding of the neural basis of psychiatric disorders, as well as consciousness and human behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew I. Banks
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Zarmeen Zahid
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Nathan T. Jones
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Training Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Ziyad W. Sultan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706
| | - Cody J. Wenthur
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Training Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53706
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI 53705
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16
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Dudysová D, Janků K, Šmotek M, Saifutdinova E, Kopřivová J, Bušková J, Mander BA, Brunovský M, Zach P, Korčák J, Andrashko V, Viktorinová M, Tylš F, Bravermanová A, Froese T, Páleníček T, Horáček J. The Effects of Daytime Psilocybin Administration on Sleep: Implications for Antidepressant Action. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:602590. [PMID: 33343372 PMCID: PMC7744693 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.602590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonergic agonist psilocybin is a psychedelic with antidepressant potential. Sleep may interact with psilocybin’s antidepressant properties like other antidepressant drugs via induction of neuroplasticity. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of psilocybin on sleep architecture on the night after psilocybin administration. Regarding the potential antidepressant properties, we hypothesized that psilocybin, similar to other classical antidepressants, would reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and prolong REM sleep latency. Moreover, we also hypothesized that psilocybin would promote slow-wave activity (SWA) expression in the first sleep cycle, a marker of sleep-related neuroplasticity. Twenty healthy volunteers (10 women, age 28–53) underwent two drug administration sessions, psilocybin or placebo, in a randomized, double-blinded design. Changes in sleep macrostructure, SWA during the first sleep cycle, whole night EEG spectral power across frequencies in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and REM sleep, and changes in subjective sleep measures were analyzed. The results revealed prolonged REM sleep latency after psilocybin administration and a trend toward a decrease in overall REM sleep duration. No changes in NREM sleep were observed. Psilocybin did not affect EEG power spectra in NREM or REM sleep when examined across the whole night. However, psilocybin suppressed SWA in the first sleep cycle. No evidence was found for sleep-related neuroplasticity, however, a different dosage, timing, effect on homeostatic regulation of sleep, or other mechanisms related to antidepressant effects may play a role. Overall, this study suggests that potential antidepressant properties of psilocybin might be related to changes in sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Dudysová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Karolina Janků
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Michal Šmotek
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Elizaveta Saifutdinova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jana Kopřivová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jitka Bušková
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Bryce Anthony Mander
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, School of Medicine, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Martin Brunovský
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Peter Zach
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | - Jakub Korčák
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia
| | | | - Michaela Viktorinová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Filip Tylš
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Anna Bravermanová
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Tom Froese
- Embodied Cognitive Science Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Tomáš Páleníček
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jiří Horáček
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
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17
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Smigielski L, Kometer M, Scheidegger M, Stress C, Preller KH, Koenig T, Vollenweider FX. P300-mediated modulations in self-other processing under psychedelic psilocybin are related to connectedness and changed meaning: A window into the self-other overlap. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:4982-4996. [PMID: 32820851 PMCID: PMC7643385 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of self and self‐referential processing has a growing explanatory value in psychiatry and neuroscience, referring to the cognitive organization and perceptual differentiation of self‐stimuli in health and disease. Conditions in which selfhood loses its natural coherence offer a unique opportunity for elucidating the mechanisms underlying self‐disturbances. We assessed the psychoactive effects of psilocybin (230 μg/kg p.o.), a preferential 5‐HT1A/2A agonist known to induce shifts in self‐perception. Our placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, within‐subject crossover experiment (n = 17) implemented a verbal self‐monitoring task involving vocalizations and participant identification of real‐time auditory source‐ (self/other) and pitch‐modulating feedback. Subjective experience and task performance were analyzed, with time‐point‐by‐time‐point assumption‐free multivariate randomization statistics applied to the spatiotemporal dynamics of event‐related potentials. Psilocybin‐modulated self‐experience, interacted with source to affect task accuracy, and altered the late phase of self‐stimuli encoding by abolishing the distinctiveness of self‐ and other‐related electric field configurations during the P300 timeframe. This last effect was driven by current source density changes within the supragenual anterior cingulate and right insular cortex. The extent of the P300 effect was associated with the intensity of psilocybin‐induced feelings of unity and changed meaning of percepts. Modulations of late encoding and their underlying neural generators in self‐referential processing networks via 5‐HT signaling may be key for understanding self‐disorders. This mechanism may reflect a neural instantiation of altered self–other and relational meaning processing in a stimulus‐locked time domain. The study elucidates the neuropharmacological foundation of subjectivity, with implications for therapy, underscoring the concept of connectedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Smigielski
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Kometer
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Milan Scheidegger
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cornelia Stress
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katrin H Preller
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Koenig
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Franz X Vollenweider
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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18
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Vann Jones SA, O’Kelly A. Psychedelics as a Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease Dementia. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2020; 12:34. [PMID: 32973482 PMCID: PMC7472664 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2020.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, there are no disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) or any other dementia subtype. The renaissance in psychedelic research in recent years, in particular studies involving psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), coupled with anecdotal reports of cognitive benefits from micro-dosing, suggests that they may have a therapeutic role in a range of psychiatric and neurological conditions due to their potential to stimulate neurogenesis, provoke neuroplastic changes and reduce neuroinflammation. This inevitably makes them interesting candidates for therapeutics in dementia. This mini-review will look at the basic science and current clinical evidence for the role of psychedelics in treating dementia, especially early AD, with a particular focus on micro-dosing of the classical psychedelics LSD and psilocybin.
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Hamilton HK, Boos AK, Mathalon DH. Electroencephalography and Event-Related Potential Biomarkers in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis. Biol Psychiatry 2020; 88:294-303. [PMID: 32507388 PMCID: PMC8300573 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Clinical outcomes vary among youths at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P), with approximately 20% progressing to full-blown psychosis over 2 to 3 years and 30% achieving remission. Recent research efforts have focused on identifying biomarkers that precede psychosis onset and enhance the accuracy of clinical outcome prediction in CHR-P individuals, with the ultimate goal of developing staged treatment approaches based on the individual's level of risk. Identifying such biomarkers may also facilitate progress toward understanding pathogenic mechanisms underlying psychosis onset, which may support the development of mechanistically informed early interventions for psychosis. In recent years, electroencephalography-based event-related potential measures with established sensitivity to schizophrenia have gained traction in the study of CHR-P and its clinical outcomes. In this review, we describe the evidence for event-related potential abnormalities in CHR-P and discuss how they inform our understanding of information processing deficits as vulnerability markers for emerging psychosis and as indicators of future outcomes. Among the measures studied, P300 and mismatch negativity are notable because deficits predict conversion to psychosis and/or CHR-P remission. However, the accuracy with which these and other measures predict outcomes in CHR-P has been obscured in the prior literature by the tendency to only report group-level differences, underscoring the need for inclusion of individual predictive accuracy metrics in future studies. Nevertheless, both P300 and mismatch negativity show promise as electrophysiological markers of risk for psychosis, as target engagement measures for clinical trials, and as potential translational bridges between human studies and animal models focused on novel drug development for early psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly K Hamilton
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California
| | - Alison K Boos
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California; Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, California
| | - Daniel H Mathalon
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Health Care System, San Francisco, California; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California.
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Habelt B, Arvaneh M, Bernhardt N, Minev I. Biomarkers and neuromodulation techniques in substance use disorders. Bioelectron Med 2020; 6:4. [PMID: 32232112 PMCID: PMC7098236 DOI: 10.1186/s42234-020-0040-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Addictive disorders are a severe health concern. Conventional therapies have just moderate success and the probability of relapse after treatment remains high. Brain stimulation techniques, such as transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), have been shown to be effective in reducing subjectively rated substance craving. However, there are few objective and measurable parameters that reflect neural mechanisms of addictive disorders and relapse. Key electrophysiological features that characterize substance related changes in neural processing are Event-Related Potentials (ERP). These high temporal resolution measurements of brain activity are able to identify neurocognitive correlates of addictive behaviours. Moreover, ERP have shown utility as biomarkers to predict treatment outcome and relapse probability. A future direction for the treatment of addiction might include neural interfaces able to detect addiction-related neurophysiological parameters and deploy neuromodulation adapted to the identified pathological features in a closed-loop fashion. Such systems may go beyond electrical recording and stimulation to employ sensing and neuromodulation in the pharmacological domain as well as advanced signal analysis and machine learning algorithms. In this review, we describe the state-of-the-art in the treatment of addictive disorders with electrical brain stimulation and its effect on addiction-related neurophysiological markers. We discuss advanced signal processing approaches and multi-modal neural interfaces as building blocks in future bioelectronics systems for treatment of addictive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Habelt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mahnaz Arvaneh
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Nadine Bernhardt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ivan Minev
- Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Zaytseva Y, Horáček J, Hlinka J, Fajnerová I, Androvičová R, Tintěra J, Salvi V, Balíková M, Hložek T, Španiel F, Páleníček T. Cannabis-induced altered states of consciousness are associated with specific dynamic brain connectivity states. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:811-821. [PMID: 31154891 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119849814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabis, and specifically one of its active compounds delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in recreational doses, has a variety of effects on cognitive processes. Most studies employ resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging techniques to assess the stationary effects of cannabis and to-date one report addressed the impact of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the dynamics of whole-brain functional connectivity. METHODS Using a repeated-measures, within-subjects design, 19 healthy occasional cannabis users (smoking cannabis ⩽2 per week) underwent resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. Each subject underwent two scans: in the intoxicated condition, shortly after smoking a cannabis cigarette, and in the non-intoxicated condition, with the subject being free from cannabinoids for at least one week before. All sessions were randomized and performed in a four-week interval. Data were analysed employing a standard independent component analysis approach with subsequent tracking of the functional connectivity dynamics, which allowed six connectivity clusters (states) to be individuated. RESULTS Using standard independent component analysis in resting state functional connectivity, a group effect was found in the precuneus connectivity. With a dynamic independent component analysis approach, we identified one transient connectivity state, characterized by high connectivity within and between auditory and somato-motor cortices and anti-correlation with subcortical structures and the cerebellum that was only found during the intoxicated condition. Behavioural measures of the subjective experiences of changed perceptions and tetrahydrocannabinol plasma levels during intoxication were associated with this state. CONCLUSIONS With the help of the dynamic connectivity approach we could elucidate neural correlates of the transitory perceptual changes induced by delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis users, and possibly identify a biomarker of cannabis intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Zaytseva
- 1 National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,3 Human Science Centre, Ludwig-Maximilian University, Munich, Germany
| | - Jiří Horáček
- 1 National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,2 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Hlinka
- 1 National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,4 Institute of Computer Science, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Fajnerová
- 1 National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,2 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Renata Androvičová
- 1 National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,2 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Virginio Salvi
- 5 Department of Neuroscience, ASST Fatebenefratelli Sacco, Milan, Italy
| | - Marie Balíková
- 6 Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Hložek
- 6 Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Španiel
- 1 National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,2 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Páleníček
- 1 National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,2 3rd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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Postránecká Z, Vejmola Č, Tylš F. Psychedelic therapy in the Czech Republic: A theoretical concept or a realistic goal? JOURNAL OF PSYCHEDELIC STUDIES 2019. [DOI: 10.1556/2054.2019.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Čestmír Vejmola
- Czech Psychedelic Society, Klecany, Czech Republic
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- 3rd Medical Faculty, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Filip Tylš
- Czech Psychedelic Society, Klecany, Czech Republic
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
- 3rd Medical Faculty, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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Melynyte S, Wang GY, Griskova-Bulanova I. Gender effects on auditory P300: A systematic review. Int J Psychophysiol 2018; 133:55-65. [PMID: 30130548 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The evidence suggests that gender-related effects could influence the electrophysiological P300 parameters and stand as an additional source of variation for both clinical and non-clinical subjects. The aim of this paper is to characterize gender-related differences in P300 potential as elicited with simple auditory paradigms. This knowledge (1) is important for the practical assessment of P300 potential in normal and clinical populations, and (2) can provide an insight into the understanding of gender differences in pathophysiology, particularly those with differential risk or prevalence in males and females. With this review it is shown that a limited number of studies encounter possible gender effects on parameters of auditory P300, and the findings need to be read with caution due to methodological limitations of the studies. Nevertheless, evidence supports that the P300 amplitude could be significantly modulated by gender, with greater amplitude in females relative to males. Noteworthy, gender has a minimal effect on the P300 latency, and it is often comparable between males and females. Furthermore, the effect of gender on P300 could be modulated by hormonal background, anatomy and some methodological aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigita Melynyte
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Centre, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Grace Y Wang
- Department of Psychology, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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