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Butler JJ, Ricci D, Aman C, Beyeler A, De Deurwaerdère P. Classical psychedelics' action on brain monoaminergic systems. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 176:106669. [PMID: 39332625 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2024] [Revised: 09/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
The study of the mechanism of action of classical psychedelics has gained significant interest due to their clinical potential in the treatment of several psychiatric conditions, including major depressive and anxiety disorders. These drugs bind 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors (5-HTR) including 5-HT1AR, 5-HT2AR, 5-HT2BR, and/or 5-HT2CR, as well as other targets. 5-HTRs regulate the activity of ascending monoaminergic neurons, a mechanism primarily involved in the action of classical antidepressant drugs, antipsychotics, and drugs of abuse. Sparse neurochemical data have been produced on the control of monoaminergic neuron activity in response to classical psychedelics. Here we review the available data in order to determine whether classical psychedelics have specific neurochemical effects on serotonergic, dopaminergic, and noradrenergic neurons. The data show that these drugs have disparate effects on each monoaminergic system, demonstrating a complex response with state-dependent and region-specific effects. For instance, several psychedelics inhibit the firing of serotonergic neurons, although this is not necessarily associated with a decrease in serotonin release in all regions. Noradrenergic neuron spontaneous activity also appears to be inhibited by psychedelics, also not necessarily associated with a decrease in noradrenaline release in all regions. Psychedelics influence on dopaminergic systems is also complex as the above-mentioned 5-HTRs may have opposing effects on dopaminergic neuron activity, in a state-dependent manner. There is an apparent lack of clear neuronal signature induced by psychedelics on monoaminergic neuron activity despite specific recurrent mechanisms. This review provides a current summary of the action of psychedelics on monoamine neuromodulators serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, compiling reoccurring and contradictory findings demonstrating that a monoamine signature of psychedelics, if applicable, would be state- and region-dependant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Jade Butler
- University of Bordeaux, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), unit 5287, Institut des Neurosciences Intégratives et Cognitives d'Aquitaine (INCIA), Bordeaux, France
| | - Daria Ricci
- University of Bordeaux, France; Institut National pour la Santé et la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), unit 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France
| | - Chloé Aman
- University of Bordeaux, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), unit 5287, Institut des Neurosciences Intégratives et Cognitives d'Aquitaine (INCIA), Bordeaux, France
| | - Anna Beyeler
- University of Bordeaux, France; Institut National pour la Santé et la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), unit 1215, Neurocentre Magendie, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Philippe De Deurwaerdère
- University of Bordeaux, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), unit 5287, Institut des Neurosciences Intégratives et Cognitives d'Aquitaine (INCIA), Bordeaux, France.
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Sapienza J, Martini F, Comai S, Cavallaro R, Spangaro M, De Gregorio D, Bosia M. Psychedelics and schizophrenia: a double-edged sword. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02743-x. [PMID: 39294303 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02743-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Psychedelics have shown promising effects in several psychiatric diseases as demonstrated by multiple clinical trials. However, no clinical experiments on patients with schizophrenia have been conducted up to date, except for some old semi-anecdotal studies mainly performed in the time-span '50s-'60s. Notably, these studies reported interesting findings, particularly on the improvement of negative symptoms and social cognition. With no doubts the lack of modern clinical studies is due to the psychomimetic properties of psychedelics, a noteworthy downside that could worsen positive symptoms. However, a rapidly increasing body of evidence has suggested that the mechanisms of action of such compounds partially overlaps with the pathogenic underpinnings of schizophrenia but in an opposite way. These findings suggest that, despite being a controversial issue, the use of psychedelics in the treatment of schizophrenia would be based on a strong biological rationale. Therefore, the aim of our perspective paper is to provide a background on the old experiments with psychedelics performed on patients with schizophrenia, interpreting them in the light of recent molecular findings on their ability to induce neuroplasticity and modulate connectivity, the immune and TAARs systems, neurotransmitters, and neurotropic factors. No systematic approach was adopted in reviewing the evidence given the difficulty to retrieve and interpret old findings. Interestingly, we identified a therapeutic potential of psychedelics in schizophrenia adopting a critical point of view, particularly on negative symptoms and social cognition, and we summarized all the relevant findings. We also identified an eligible subpopulation of chronic patients predominantly burdened by negative symptoms, outlining possible therapeutic strategies which encompass very low doses of psychedelics (microdosing), carefully considering safety and feasibility, to pave the way to future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Sapienza
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Humanities and Life Sciences, University School for Advanced Studies IUSS, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Comai
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Roberto Cavallaro
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- School of medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Danilo De Gregorio
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- School of medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Bosia
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- School of medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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3
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Hua H, Fu X, Wang W, Wang S, Wang D, Wu Z, Zhang Q, He T, Yang C. A bibliometric analysis of research on psychedelics for depression treatment. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36886. [PMID: 39281459 PMCID: PMC11401032 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36886] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychedelics, as a class of potent psychoactive substances, significantly alter sensory perception and mood, thereby profoundly impacting cognition. Increasing evidence indicates that psychedelics can facilitate individual social function and rapidly and sustainably improve symptoms of moderate and severe depression. The growing interest in psychedelics as potential treatments for depression has led to a substantial increase in related publications; however, the overall quantity and quality of these works remain unclear. To address this issue, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of literature on psychedelic drugs for depression published between 2004 and October 2023. Our study meticulously collected 710 publications, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of bibliographic elements such as annual publication trends, authorship, country of origin, institutional affiliations, journals, and keywords. By visualizing trends, emerging frontiers, popular topics, author collaborations, and influential factors in the field of psychedelics for depression, we have enhanced our understanding of advancements in this area. On this basis, we assert that the regulation of psychedelic drugs is necessary, but it should not hinder the scientific research progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Hua
- Department of Anesthesiology, Wuxi 9th People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi, 214062, China
| | - Xinghuo Fu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Taizhou Fourth People's Hospital, Taizhou, 225300, China
| | - Wenli Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Sen Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Zifeng Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Teng He
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Huaian Hospital of Huaian City, Huaian Cancer Hospital, Huaian, 223200, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
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Zhen Z, Sun X, Yuan S, Zhang J. Psychoactive substances for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Asian J Psychiatr 2024; 101:104193. [PMID: 39243659 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2024.104193] [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: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
In the contemporary landscape of psychiatric medicine, critical advancements have been noted in the utilization of psychoactive substances such as hallucinogens, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and ketamine for the treatment of severe mental health disorders. This review provides a detailed evaluation of these substances, focusing on their mechanisms of action and the profound clinical outcomes observed in controlled environments. Hallucinogens like lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin primarily target the 5-HT2A receptor agonist-2 (5-HT2AR), inducing substantial perceptual and cognitive shifts that facilitate deep psychological introspection and significant therapeutic advances, particularly in patients suffering from depression and anxiety disorders. MDMA, influencing multiple neurotransmitter systems including 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine, and norepinephrine, has been demonstrated to effectively alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, enhancing patients' emotional engagement and resilience during psychotherapy. Meanwhile, ketamine, a glutamate receptor antagonist, rapidly alleviates depressive symptoms, offering a lifeline for individuals with treatment-resistant depression through its fast-acting antidepressant properties. The integration of these substances into psychiatric practice has shown promising results, fundamentally changing the therapeutic landscape for patients unresponsive to traditional treatment modalities. However, the potent effects of these agents also necessitate a cautious approach in clinical application, ensuring careful dosage control, monitoring, and risk management to prevent potential abuse and mitigate adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zifan Zhen
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, PR China; Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, PR China
| | - Xueqiang Sun
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, PR China; Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, PR China
| | - Shiying Yuan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, PR China; Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, PR China.
| | - Jiancheng Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, PR China; Institute of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, PR China.
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5
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Dudzik P, Lustyk K, Pytka K. Beyond dopamine: Novel strategies for schizophrenia treatment. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:2307-2330. [PMID: 38653551 DOI: 10.1002/med.22042] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Despite extensive research efforts aimed at discovering novel antipsychotic compounds, a satisfactory pharmacological strategy for schizophrenia treatment remains elusive. All the currently available drugs act by modulating dopaminergic neurotransmission, leading to insufficient management of the negative and cognitive symptoms of the disorder. Due to these challenges, several attempts have been made to design agents with innovative, non-dopaminergic mechanisms of action. Consequently, a number of promising compounds are currently progressing through phases 2 and 3 of clinical trials. This review aims to examine the rationale behind the most promising of these strategies while simultaneously providing a comprehensive survey of study results. We describe the versatility behind the cholinergic neurotransmission modulation through the activation of M1 and M4 receptors, exemplified by the prospective drug candidate KarXT. Our discussion extends to the innovative approach of activating TAAR1 receptors via ulotaront, along with the promising outcomes of iclepertin, a GlyT-1 inhibitor with the potential to become the first treatment option for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. Finally, we evaluate the 5-HT2A antagonist paradigm, assessing two recently developed serotonergic agents, pimavanserin and roluperidone. We present the latest advancements in developing novel solutions to the complex challenges posed by schizophrenia, offering an additional perspective on the diverse investigated drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Dudzik
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Klaudia Lustyk
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Pytka
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
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6
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Harris-Blum L, Smith Z, Ortiz RJ, Athreya D, Chang A, Kulkarni PP, Ferris CF. Developmental changes in brain structure and function following exposure to oral LSD during adolescence. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18632. [PMID: 39128924 PMCID: PMC11317488 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69597-9] [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: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
LSD is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. Underlying these effects are changes in brain neuroplasticity. This is the first study to follow the developmental changes in brain structure and function following LSD exposure in periadolescence. We hypothesized LSD given during a time of heightened neuroplasticity, particularly in the forebrain, would affect cognitive and emotional behavior and the associated underlying neuroanatomy and neurocircuitry. Female and male mice were given vehicle, single or multiple treatments of 3.3 µg of LSD by oral gavage starting on postnatal day 51. Between postnatal days 90-120 mice were imaged and tested for cognitive and motor behavior. MRI data from voxel-based morphometry, diffusion weighted imaging, and BOLD resting state functional connectivity were registered to a mouse 3D MRI atlas with 139 brain regions providing site-specific differences in global brain structure and functional connectivity between experimental groups. Motor behavior and cognitive performance were unaffected by periadolescent exposure to LSD. Differences across experimental groups in brain volume for any of the 139 brain areas were few in number and not focused on any specific brain region. Multiple exposures to LSD significantly altered gray matter microarchitecture across much of the brain. These changes were primary associated with the thalamus, sensory and motor cortices, and basal ganglia. The forebrain olfactory system and prefrontal cortex and hindbrain cerebellum and brainstem were unaffected. The functional connectivity between forebrain white matter tracts and sensorimotor cortices and hippocampus was reduced with multidose LSD exposure. Does exposure to LSD in late adolescence have lasting effects on brain development? The bulk of our significant findings were seen through changes is DWI values across 74 brain areas in the multi-dose LSD group. The pronounced changes in indices of anisotropy across much of the brain would suggest altered gray matter microarchitecture and neuroplasticity. There was no evidence of LSD having consequential effects on cognitive or motor behavior when animal were evaluated as young adults 90-120 days of age. Neither were there any differences in the volume of specific brain areas between experimental conditions. The reduction in connectivity in forebrain white matter tracts with multidose LSD and consolidation around sensorimotor and hippocampal brain areas requires a battery of tests to understand the consequences of these changes on behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lila Harris-Blum
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zachary Smith
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Richard J Ortiz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA
| | - Deepti Athreya
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Arnold Chang
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Praveen P Kulkarni
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Craig F Ferris
- Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, 125 NI Hall, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02115-5000, USA.
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7
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Jiang K, Zheng Y, Zeng L, Wang L, Li F, Pu J, Lu Y, Zhao S, Xu F. The versatile binding landscape of the TAAR1 pocket for LSD and other antipsychotic drug molecules. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114505. [PMID: 39002128 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114505] [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: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing global concerns about psychoactive substance addiction and psychotic disorders highlight the need for comprehensive research into the structure-function relationship governing ligand recognition between these substances and their receptors in the brain. Recent studies indicate the significant involvement of trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) in the signaling regulation of the hallucinogen lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and other antipsychotic drugs. This study presents structures of the TAAR1-Gs protein complex recognizing LSD, which exhibits a polypharmacological profile, and the partial agonist RO5263397, which is a drug candidate for schizophrenia and addiction. Moreover, we elucidate the cross-species recognition and partial activation mechanism for TAAR1, which holds promising implications from a drug discovery perspective. Through mutagenesis, functional studies, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we provide a comprehensive understanding of a versatile TAAR1 pocket in recognizing various ligands as well as in the ligand-free state, underpinning the structural basis of its high adaptability. These findings offer valuable insights for the design of antipsychotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Jiang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - You Zheng
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liting Zeng
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Wang
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fei Li
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Pu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yingli Lu
- Institute and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Suwen Zhao
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fei Xu
- iHuman Institute, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai, China.
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8
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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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Ghaw A, Chunduri A, Chang A, Ortiz RJ, Kozlowska M, Kulkarni PP, Ferris CF. Dose-dependent LSD effects on cortical/thalamic and cerebellar activity: brain oxygen level-dependent fMRI study in awake rats. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae194. [PMID: 38863575 PMCID: PMC11166175 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae194] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioural effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes in brain activity in response to different doses of lysergic acid diethylamide in fully awake, drug-naive rats. We hypothesized that lysergic acid diethylamide would show a dose-dependent increase in activity in the prefrontal cortex and thalamus while decreasing hippocampal activity. Female and male rats were given intraperitoneal injections of vehicle or lysergic acid diethylamide in doses of 10 or 100 µg/kg while fully awake during the imaging session. Changes in blood oxygen level-dependent signal were recorded over a 30-min window. Approximately 45-min post-injection data for resting-state functional connectivity were collected. All data were registered to rat 3D MRI atlas with 173 brain regions providing site-specific increases and decreases in global brain activity and changes in functional connectivity. Treatment with lysergic acid diethylamide resulted in a significant dose-dependent increase in negative blood oxygen level-dependent signal. The areas most affected were the primary olfactory system, prefrontal cortex, thalamus and hippocampus. This was observed in both the number of voxels affected in these brains regions and the changes in blood oxygen level-dependent signal over time. However, there was a significant increase in functional connectivity between the thalamus and somatosensory cortex and the cerebellar nuclei and the surrounding brainstem areas. Contrary to our hypothesis, there was an acute dose-dependent increase in negative blood oxygen level-dependent signal that can be interpreted as a decrease in brain activity, a finding that agrees with much of the behavioural data from preclinical studies. The enhanced connectivity between thalamus and sensorimotor cortices is consistent with the human literature looking at lysergic acid diethylamide treatments in healthy human volunteers. The unexpected finding that lysergic acid diethylamide enhances connectivity to the cerebellar nuclei raises an interesting question concerning the role of this brain region in the psychotomimetic effects of hallucinogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Ghaw
- Center for Translational Neuroimaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alisha Chunduri
- Center for Translational Neuroimaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Arnold Chang
- Center for Translational Neuroimaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Richard J Ortiz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
| | - Milena Kozlowska
- Center for Translational Neuroimaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Praveen P Kulkarni
- Center for Translational Neuroimaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Craig F Ferris
- Department of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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10
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Salerno JA, Rehen S. Human pluripotent stem cells as a translational toolkit in psychedelic research in vitro. iScience 2024; 27:109631. [PMID: 38628967 PMCID: PMC11019282 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109631] [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] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychedelics, recognized for their impact on perception, are resurging as promising treatments with rapid onset for mood and substance use disorders. Despite increasing evidence from clinical trials, questions persist about the cellular and molecular mechanisms and their precise correlation with treatment outcomes. Murine neurons and immortalized non-neural cell lines harboring overexpressed constructs have shed light on neuroplastic changes mediated by the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) as the primary mechanism. However, limitations exist in capturing human- and disease-specific traits. Here, we discuss current accomplishments and prospects for incorporating human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) to complement these models. PSCs can differentiate into various brain cell types, mirroring endogenous expression patterns and cell identities to recreate disease phenotypes. Brain organoids derived from PSCs resemble cell diversity and patterning, while region-specific organoids simulate circuit-level phenotypes. PSC-based models hold significant promise to illuminate the cellular and molecular substrates of psychedelic-induced phenotypic recovery in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Alexandre Salerno
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Morphological Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Biomedical Institute, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Stevens Rehen
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Usona Institute, Fitchburg, WI, USA
- Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, USA
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11
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Holze F, Singh N, Liechti ME, D'Souza DC. Serotonergic Psychedelics: A Comparative Review of Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Binding Profile. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024; 9:472-489. [PMID: 38301886 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds, including psilocybin, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), DMT (N,N -dimethyltryptamine), and 5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine), all of which are serotonin 2A receptor agonists, are being investigated as potential treatments. This review aims to summarize the current clinical research on these 4 compounds and mescaline to guide future research. Their mechanism(s) of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety were reviewed. While evidence for therapeutic indications, with the exception of psilocybin for depression, is still relatively scarce, we noted no differences in psychedelic effects beyond effect duration. Therefore, it remains unclear whether different receptor profiles contribute to the therapeutic potential of these compounds. More research is needed to differentiate these compounds in order to inform which compounds might be best for different therapeutic uses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike Holze
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Nirmal Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Deepak Cyril D'Souza
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Clinical Neuroscience Research Unit, Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, Connecticut; VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut.
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12
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Moujaes F, Rieser NM, Phillips C, de Matos NMP, Brügger M, Dürler P, Smigielski L, Stämpfli P, Seifritz E, Vollenweider FX, Anticevic A, Preller KH. Comparing Neural Correlates of Consciousness: From Psychedelics to Hypnosis and Meditation. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2024; 9:533-543. [PMID: 37459910 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2023.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods of inducing altered states of consciousness (ASCs) are becoming increasingly relevant in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. While comparisons between them are often drawn, to date no study has directly compared their neural correlates. METHODS To address this knowledge gap, we directly compared 2 pharmacological methods (psilocybin 0.2 mg/kg orally [n = 23] and lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD] 100 μg orally [n = 25]) and 2 nonpharmacological methods (hypnosis [n = 30] and meditation [n = 29]) using resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging and assessed the predictive value of the data using a machine learning approach. RESULTS We found that 1) no network reached significance in all 4 ASC methods; 2) pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions of inducing ASCs showed distinct connectivity patterns that were predictive at the individual level; 3) hypnosis and meditation showed differences in functional connectivity when compared directly and also drove distinct differences when jointly compared with the pharmacological ASC interventions; and 4) psilocybin and LSD showed no differences in functional connectivity when directly compared with each other, but they did show distinct behavioral-neural relationships. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results extend our understanding of the mechanisms of action of ASCs and highlight the importance of exploring how these effects can be leveraged in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Moujaes
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Nathalie M Rieser
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Christophe Phillips
- GIGA Cyclotron Research Centre in vivo imaging, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Nuno M P de Matos
- Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mike Brügger
- Clinic of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Dürler
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lukasz Smigielski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Stämpfli
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland; MR Center, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Franz X Vollenweider
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alan Anticevic
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Katrin H Preller
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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13
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Armstrong M, Castellanos J, Christie D. Chronic pain as an emergent property of a complex system and the potential roles of psychedelic therapies. FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH 2024; 5:1346053. [PMID: 38706873 PMCID: PMC11066302 DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1346053] [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: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite research advances and urgent calls by national and global health organizations, clinical outcomes for millions of people suffering with chronic pain remain poor. We suggest bringing the lens of complexity science to this problem, conceptualizing chronic pain as an emergent property of a complex biopsychosocial system. We frame pain-related physiology, neuroscience, developmental psychology, learning, and epigenetics as components and mini-systems that interact together and with changing socioenvironmental conditions, as an overarching complex system that gives rise to the emergent phenomenon of chronic pain. We postulate that the behavior of complex systems may help to explain persistence of chronic pain despite current treatments. From this perspective, chronic pain may benefit from therapies that can be both disruptive and adaptive at higher orders within the complex system. We explore psychedelic-assisted therapies and how these may overlap with and complement mindfulness-based approaches to this end. Both mindfulness and psychedelic therapies have been shown to have transdiagnostic value, due in part to disruptive effects on rigid cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns as well their ability to promote neuroplasticity. Psychedelic therapies may hold unique promise for the management of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Armstrong
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Joel Castellanos
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Devon Christie
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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14
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Moujaes F, Ji JL, Rahmati M, Burt JB, Schleifer C, Adkinson BD, Savic A, Santamauro N, Tamayo Z, Diehl C, Kolobaric A, Flynn M, Rieser N, Fonteneau C, Camarro T, Xu J, Cho Y, Repovs G, Fineberg SK, Morgan PT, Seifritz E, Vollenweider FX, Krystal JH, Murray JD, Preller KH, Anticevic A. Ketamine induces multiple individually distinct whole-brain functional connectivity signatures. eLife 2024; 13:e84173. [PMID: 38629811 PMCID: PMC11023699 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84173] [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: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ketamine has emerged as one of the most promising therapies for treatment-resistant depression. However, inter-individual variability in response to ketamine is still not well understood and it is unclear how ketamine's molecular mechanisms connect to its neural and behavioral effects. Methods We conducted a single-blind placebo-controlled study, with participants blinded to their treatment condition. 40 healthy participants received acute ketamine (initial bolus 0.23 mg/kg, continuous infusion 0.58 mg/kg/hr). We quantified resting-state functional connectivity via data-driven global brain connectivity and related it to individual ketamine-induced symptom variation and cortical gene expression targets. Results We found that: (i) both the neural and behavioral effects of acute ketamine are multi-dimensional, reflecting robust inter-individual variability; (ii) ketamine's data-driven principal neural gradient effect matched somatostatin (SST) and parvalbumin (PVALB) cortical gene expression patterns in humans, while the mean effect did not; and (iii) behavioral data-driven individual symptom variation mapped onto distinct neural gradients of ketamine, which were resolvable at the single-subject level. Conclusions These results highlight the importance of considering individual behavioral and neural variation in response to ketamine. They also have implications for the development of individually precise pharmacological biomarkers for treatment selection in psychiatry. Funding This study was supported by NIH grants DP5OD012109-01 (A.A.), 1U01MH121766 (A.A.), R01MH112746 (J.D.M.), 5R01MH112189 (A.A.), 5R01MH108590 (A.A.), NIAAA grant 2P50AA012870-11 (A.A.); NSF NeuroNex grant 2015276 (J.D.M.); Brain and Behavior Research Foundation Young Investigator Award (A.A.); SFARI Pilot Award (J.D.M., A.A.); Heffter Research Institute (Grant No. 1-190420) (FXV, KHP); Swiss Neuromatrix Foundation (Grant No. 2016-0111) (FXV, KHP); Swiss National Science Foundation under the framework of Neuron Cofund (Grant No. 01EW1908) (KHP); Usona Institute (2015 - 2056) (FXV). Clinical trial number NCT03842800.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flora Moujaes
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Jie Lisa Ji
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Masih Rahmati
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Joshua B Burt
- Department of Physics, Yale UniversityBostonUnited States
| | - Charles Schleifer
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Brendan D Adkinson
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
| | | | - Nicole Santamauro
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Zailyn Tamayo
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Caroline Diehl
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
| | | | - Morgan Flynn
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleUnited States
| | - Nathalie Rieser
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Clara Fonteneau
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Terry Camarro
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Junqian Xu
- Department of Radiology and Psychiatry, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Youngsun Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Grega Repovs
- Department of Psychology, University of LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Sarah K Fineberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Peter T Morgan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, Bridgeport HospitalBridgeportUnited States
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Franz X Vollenweider
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - John H Krystal
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - John D Murray
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Physics, Yale UniversityBostonUnited States
- Department of Psychology, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
| | - Katrin H Preller
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Alan Anticevic
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale UniversityNew HavenUnited States
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15
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Grossi G, Scarano N, Musumeci F, Tonelli M, Kanov E, Carbone A, Fossa P, Gainetdinov RR, Cichero E, Schenone S. Discovery of a Novel Chemo-Type for TAAR1 Agonism via Molecular Modeling. Molecules 2024; 29:1739. [PMID: 38675561 PMCID: PMC11052455 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29081739] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The search for novel effective TAAR1 ligands continues to draw great attention due to the wide range of pharmacological applications related to TAAR1 targeting. Herein, molecular docking studies of known TAAR1 ligands, characterized by an oxazoline core, have been performed in order to identify novel promising chemo-types for the discovery of more active TAAR1 agonists. In particular, the oxazoline-based compound S18616 has been taken as a reference compound for the computational study, leading to the development of quite flat and conformationally locked ligands. The choice of a "Y-shape" conformation was suggested for the design of TAAR1 ligands, interacting with the protein cavity delimited by ASP103 and aromatic residues such as PHE186, PHE195, PHE268, and PHE267. The obtained results allowed us to preliminary in silico screen an in-house series of pyrimidinone-benzimidazoles (1a-10a) as a novel scaffold to target TAAR1. Combined ligand-based (LBCM) and structure based (SBCM) computational methods suggested the biological evaluation of compounds 1a-10a, leading to the identification of derivatives 1a-3a (hTAAR1 EC50 = 526.3-657.4 nM) as promising novel TAAR1 agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Grossi
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Naomi Scarano
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Francesca Musumeci
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Michele Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Evgeny Kanov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia (R.R.G.)
- St. Petersburg University Hospital, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna Carbone
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Paola Fossa
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia (R.R.G.)
- St. Petersburg University Hospital, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Elena Cichero
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
| | - Silvia Schenone
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, 3, 16132 Genoa, Italy; (G.G.); (N.S.); (F.M.); (M.T.); (A.C.); (P.F.); (S.S.)
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16
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Sinha JK, Trisal A, Ghosh S, Gupta S, Singh KK, Han SS, Mahapatra M, Abomughaid MM, Abomughayedh AM, Almutary AG, Iqbal D, Bhaskar R, Mishra PC, Jha SK, Jha NK, Singh AK. Psychedelics for alzheimer's disease-related dementia: Unveiling therapeutic possibilities and pathways. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 96:102211. [PMID: 38307424 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102211] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Psychedelics have traditionally been used for spiritual and recreational purposes, but recent developments in psychotherapy have highlighted their potential as therapeutic agents. These compounds, which act as potent 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) agonists, have been recognized for their ability to enhance neural plasticity through the activation of the serotoninergic and glutamatergic systems. However, the implications of these findings for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly dementia, have not been fully explored. In recent years, studies have revealed the modulatory and beneficial effects of psychedelics in the context of dementia, specifically Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related dementia, which lacks a definitive cure. Psychedelics such as N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and Psilocybin have shown potential in mitigating the effects of this debilitating disease. These compounds not only target neurotransmitter imbalances but also act at the molecular level to modulate signalling pathways in AD, including the brain-derived neurotrophic factor signalling pathway and the subsequent activation of mammalian target of rapamycin and other autophagy regulators. Therefore, the controlled and dose-dependent administration of psychedelics represents a novel therapeutic intervention worth exploring and considering for the development of drugs for the treatment of AD-related dementia. In this article, we critically examined the literature that sheds light on the therapeutic possibilities and pathways of psychedelics for AD-related dementia. While this emerging field of research holds great promise, further studies are necessary to elucidate the long-term safety, efficacy, and optimal treatment protocols. Ultimately, the integration of psychedelics into the current treatment paradigm may provide a transformative approach for addressing the unmet needs of individuals living with AD-related dementia and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anchal Trisal
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Shampa Ghosh
- GloNeuro, Sector 107, Vishwakarma Road, Noida 201301, India
| | - Saurabh Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Krishna Kumar Singh
- Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology (SCIT), Rajiv Gandhi InfoTech Park, Hinjawadi, Pune, Maharashtra 411057, India
| | - Sung Soo Han
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeonsang 38541, the Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan 38541, the Republic of Korea
| | | | - Mosleh Mohammad Abomughaid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali M Abomughayedh
- Pharmacy Department, Aseer Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmajeed G Almutary
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 59911, United Arab Emirates
| | - Danish Iqbal
- Department of Health Information Management, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Buraydah Private Colleges, Buraydah 51418, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rakesh Bhaskar
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeonsang 38541, the Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan 38541, the Republic of Korea.
| | - Prabhu Chandra Mishra
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Zoology, Kalindi College, University of Delhi, 110008, India.
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India; Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India; School of Bioengineering & Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India; Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India.
| | - Abhishek Kumar Singh
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India.
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17
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Robinson CL, Fonseca ACG, Diejomaoh EM, D’Souza RS, Schatman ME, Orhurhu V, Emerick T. Scoping Review: The Role of Psychedelics in the Management of Chronic Pain. J Pain Res 2024; 17:965-973. [PMID: 38496341 PMCID: PMC10941794 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s439348] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Amid a lack of effective chronic pain treatments, psychedelics have gained attention as a potential solution, although their Schedule 1 classification poses challenges. Psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, have gained popularity as alternatives and adjuncts for chronic pain treatment. Studies suggest that they may modulate pain processing through agonism primarily at the serotonin receptor, 5-HT2A. One of the first of its nature, we present an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered scoping review primarily focusing on evaluating psychedelics for chronic pain conditions such as cluster headache, phantom limb pain, and fibromyalgia. Methods In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we used an AI-powered comprehensive search strategy utilizing the ChatGPT4.0 Bing chat to search Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for articles addressing chronic pain. The query was performed on June 1, 2023, focusing on psychedelics for chronic, non-cancer pain including headache disorders. Inclusion criteria were English-only, peer-reviewed articles involving human participants >18 years, focusing on chronic pain conditions (eg, phantom limb pain and cluster headache), using LSD, 2.5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine (2C-B), N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), psilocybin, or mescaline. Exclusion criteria were reviews, editorials, and opinion articles and studies focusing on tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabis and/or ketamine. Results A total of 186 unique database entries were retrieved, of which nine studies were included in the scoping review. These included four case reports/series, an open-label study, a cohort study, two online surveys, and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. They comprised three studies addressing phantom limb pain, four addressing cluster headaches, and two addressing fibromyalgia, spinal cord injury, complex regional pain syndrome, and lumbar radiculopathy. Conclusion Psychedelics may have potential in alleviating pain symptoms secondary to a multitude of chronic pain conditions. However, further randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are needed to further explore and evaluate the role of psychedelics in chronic, non-cancer pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Robinson
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra C G Fonseca
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Efemena M Diejomaoh
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ryan S D’Souza
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Michael E Schatman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Population Health-Division of Medical Ethics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vwaire Orhurhu
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Susquehanna, Williamsport, PA, USA
- MVM Health, East Stroudsburg, PA, USA
| | - Trent Emerick
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Chronic Pain Division, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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18
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Allen J, Dames SS, Foldi CJ, Shultz SR. Psychedelics for acquired brain injury: a review of molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:671-685. [PMID: 38177350 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02360-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Acquired brain injury (ABI), such as traumatic brain injury and stroke, is a leading cause of disability worldwide, resulting in debilitating acute and chronic symptoms, as well as an increased risk of developing neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. These symptoms can stem from various neurophysiological insults, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, imbalances in neurotransmission, and impaired neuroplasticity. Despite advancements in medical technology and treatment interventions, managing ABI remains a significant challenge. Emerging evidence suggests that psychedelics may rapidly improve neurobehavioral outcomes in patients with various disorders that share physiological similarities with ABI. However, research specifically focussed on psychedelics for ABI is limited. This narrative literature review explores the neurochemical properties of psychedelics as a therapeutic intervention for ABI, with a focus on serotonin receptors, sigma-1 receptors, and neurotrophic signalling associated with neuroprotection, neuroplasticity, and neuroinflammation. The promotion of neuronal growth, cell survival, and anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by psychedelics strongly supports their potential benefit in managing ABI. Further research and translational efforts are required to elucidate their therapeutic mechanisms of action and to evaluate their effectiveness in treating the acute and chronic phases of ABI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Allen
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Shannon S Dames
- Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Post-Graduate Program, Health Sciences and Human Services, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
| | - Claire J Foldi
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Centre for Trauma and Mental Health Research, Health Sciences and Human Services, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
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Yao H, Wang X, Chi J, Chen H, Liu Y, Yang J, Yu J, Ruan Y, Xiang X, Pi J, Xu JF. Exploring Novel Antidepressants Targeting G Protein-Coupled Receptors and Key Membrane Receptors Based on Molecular Structures. Molecules 2024; 29:964. [PMID: 38474476 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29050964] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a complex mental disorder that involves alterations in signal transmission across multiple scales and structural abnormalities. The development of effective antidepressants (ADs) has been hindered by the dominance of monoamine hypothesis, resulting in slow progress. Traditional ADs have undesirable traits like delayed onset of action, limited efficacy, and severe side effects. Recently, two categories of fast-acting antidepressant compounds have surfaced, dissociative anesthetics S-ketamine and its metabolites, as well as psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). This has led to structural research and drug development of the receptors that they target. This review provides breakthroughs and achievements in the structure of depression-related receptors and novel ADs based on these. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) has enabled researchers to identify the structures of membrane receptors, including the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptor. These high-resolution structures can be used for the development of novel ADs using virtual drug screening (VDS). Moreover, the unique antidepressant effects of 5-HT1A receptors in various brain regions, and the pivotal roles of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) and tyrosine kinase receptor 2 (TrkB) in regulating synaptic plasticity, emphasize their potential as therapeutic targets. Using structural information, a series of highly selective ADs were designed based on the different role of receptors in MDD. These molecules have the favorable characteristics of rapid onset and low adverse drug reactions. This review offers researchers guidance and a methodological framework for the structure-based design of ADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanbo Yao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Jiaxin Chi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Haorong Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Yilin Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Jiayi Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Jiaqi Yu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Yongdui Ruan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Xufu Xiang
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Jiang Pi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Jun-Fa Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Diagnostics, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medical Technology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan 523808, China
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20
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Hatzipantelis CJ, Olson DE. The Effects of Psychedelics on Neuronal Physiology. Annu Rev Physiol 2024; 86:27-47. [PMID: 37931171 PMCID: PMC10922499 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physiol-042022-020923] [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] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Psychedelics are quite unique among drugs that impact the central nervous system, as a single administration of a psychedelic can both rapidly alter subjective experience in profound ways and produce sustained effects on circuits relevant to mood, fear, reward, and cognitive flexibility. These remarkable properties are a direct result of psychedelics interacting with several key neuroreceptors distributed across the brain. Stimulation of these receptors activates a variety of signaling cascades that ultimately culminate in changes in neuronal structure and function. Here, we describe the effects of psychedelics on neuronal physiology, highlighting their acute effects on serotonergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission as well as their long-lasting effects on structural and functional neuroplasticity in the cortex. We propose that the neurobiological changes leading to the acute and sustained effects of psychedelics might be distinct, which could provide opportunities for engineering compounds with optimized safety and efficacy profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra J Hatzipantelis
- Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - David E Olson
- Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, California, USA
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21
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Murphy RJ, Godfrey K, Shaw AD, Muthukumaraswamy S, Sumner RL. Modulation of long-term potentiation following microdoses of LSD captured by thalamo-cortical modelling in a randomised, controlled trial. BMC Neurosci 2024; 25:7. [PMID: 38317077 PMCID: PMC10845757 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-024-00844-5] [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: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microdosing psychedelics is a phenomenon with claimed cognitive benefits that are relatively untested clinically. Pre-clinically, psychedelics have demonstrated enhancing effects on neuroplasticity, which cannot be measured directly in humans, but may be indexed by non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) paradigms. This study used a visual long-term potentiation (LTP) EEG paradigm to test the effects of microdosed lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on neural plasticity, both acutely while on the drug and cumulatively after microdosing every third day for six weeks. Healthy adult males (n = 80) completed the visual LTP paradigm at baseline, 2.5 h following a dose of 10 µg of LSD or inactive placebo, and 6 weeks later after taking 14 repeated microdoses. Visually induced LTP was used as indirect index of neural plasticity. Surface level event-related potential (ERPs) based analyses are presented alongside dynamic causal modelling of the source localised data using a generative thalamocortical model (TCM) of visual cortex to elucidate underlying synaptic circuitry. RESULTS Event-related potential (ERP) analyses of N1b and P2 components did not show evidence of changes in visually induced LTP by LSD either acutely or after 6 weeks of regular dosing. However modelling the complete timecourse of the ERP with the TCM demonstrated changes in laminar connectivity in primary visual cortex. This primarily included changes to self-gain and inhibitory input parameters acutely. Layer 2/3 to layer 5 excitatory connectivity was also different between LSD and placebo groups. After regular dosing only excitatory input from layer 2/3 into layer 5 and inhibitory input into layer 4 were different between groups. CONCLUSIONS Without modulation of the ERPs it is difficult to relate the findings to other studies visually inducing LTP. It also indicates the classic peak analysis may not be sensitive enough to demonstrate evidence for changes in LTP plasticity in humans at such low doses. The TCM provides a more sensitive approach to assessing changes to plasticity as differences in plasticity mediated laminar connectivity were found between the LSD and placebo groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION ANZCTR registration number ACTRN12621000436875; Registered 16/04/2021 https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=381476 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin J Murphy
- School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Kate Godfrey
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Department of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Rachael L Sumner
- School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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22
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Liu J, Wu R, Li JX. TAAR1 as an emerging target for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 253:108580. [PMID: 38142862 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108580] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Trace amines, a group of amines expressed at the nanomolar level in the mammalian brain, can modulate monoamine transmission. The discovery of and the functional research on the trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs), especially the most well-characterized TAAR1, have largely facilitated our understanding of the function of the trace amine system in the brain. TAAR1 is expressed in the mammalian brain at a low level and widely distributed in the monoaminergic system, including the ventral tegmental area and substantial nigra, where the dopamine neurons reside in the mammalian brain. Growing in vitro and in vivo evidence has demonstrated that TAAR1 could negatively modulate monoamine transmission and play a crucial role in many psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, substance use disorders, sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety. Notably, in the last two decades, many studies have repeatedly confirmed the pharmacological effects of the selective TAAR1 ligands in various preclinical models of psychiatric disorders. Recent clinical trials of the dual TAAR1 and serotonin receptor agonist ulotaront also revealed a potential efficacy for treating schizophrenia. Here, we review the current understanding of the TAAR1 system and the recent advances in the elucidation of behavioral and physiological properties of TAAR1 agonists evaluated both in preclinical animal models and clinical trials. We also discuss the potential TAAR1-dependent signaling pathways and the cellular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of TAAR1 activation on drug addiction. We conclude that TAAR1 is an emerging target for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfeng Liu
- School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China; School of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430065, China.
| | - Ruyan Wu
- Department of in vivo pharmacology, Discovery Biology, WuXi Biology, WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200120, PR China
| | - Jun-Xu Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
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23
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Onofrj M, Russo M, Delli Pizzi S, De Gregorio D, Inserra A, Gobbi G, Sensi SL. The central role of the Thalamus in psychosis, lessons from neurodegenerative diseases and psychedelics. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:384. [PMID: 38092757 PMCID: PMC10719401 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02691-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The PD-DLB psychosis complex found in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) includes hallucinations, Somatic Symptom/Functional Disorders, and delusions. These disorders exhibit similar presentation patterns and progression. Mechanisms at the root of these symptoms also share similarities with processes promoting altered states of consciousness found in Rapid Eye Movement sleep, psychiatric disorders, or the intake of psychedelic compounds. We propose that these mechanisms find a crucial driver and trigger in the dysregulated activity of high-order thalamic nuclei set in motion by ThalamoCortical Dysrhythmia (TCD). TCD generates the loss of finely tuned cortico-cortical modulations promoted by the thalamus and unleashes the aberrant activity of the Default Mode Network (DMN). TCD moves in parallel with altered thalamic filtering of external and internal information. The process produces an input overload to the cortex, thereby exacerbating DMN decoupling from task-positive networks. These phenomena alter the brain metastability, creating dreamlike, dissociative, or altered states of consciousness. In support of this hypothesis, mind-altering psychedelic drugs also modulate thalamic-cortical pathways. Understanding the pathophysiological background of these conditions provides a conceptual bridge between neurology and psychiatry, thereby helping to generate a promising and converging area of investigation and therapeutic efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Onofrj
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology - CAST, Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technology-ITAB University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Mirella Russo
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology - CAST, Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technology-ITAB University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano Delli Pizzi
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology - CAST, Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technology-ITAB University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Inserra
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology - CAST, Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technology-ITAB University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.
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24
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Banushi B, Polito V. A Comprehensive Review of the Current Status of the Cellular Neurobiology of Psychedelics. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1380. [PMID: 37997979 PMCID: PMC10669348 DOI: 10.3390/biology12111380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Psychedelic substances have gained significant attention in recent years for their potential therapeutic effects on various psychiatric disorders. This review delves into the intricate cellular neurobiology of psychedelics, emphasizing their potential therapeutic applications in addressing the global burden of mental illness. It focuses on contemporary research into the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms underlying these substances, particularly the role of 5-HT2A receptor signaling and the promotion of plasticity through the TrkB-BDNF pathway. The review also discusses how psychedelics affect various receptors and pathways and explores their potential as anti-inflammatory agents. Overall, this research represents a significant development in biomedical sciences with the potential to transform mental health treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blerida Banushi
- Genetics and Genomic Medicine Department, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Vince Polito
- School of Psychological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia;
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25
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Inserra A, Piot A, De Gregorio D, Gobbi G. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) for the Treatment of Anxiety Disorders: Preclinical and Clinical Evidence. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:733-754. [PMID: 37603260 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-023-01008-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders (ADs) represent the sixth leading cause of disability worldwide, resulting in a significant global economic burden. Over 50% of individuals with ADs do not respond to standard therapies, making the identification of more effective anxiolytic drugs an ongoing research priority. In this work, we review the preclinical literature concerning the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on anxiety-like behaviors in preclinical models, and the clinical literature on anxiolytic effects of LSD in healthy volunteers and patients with ADs. Preclinical and clinical findings show that even if LSD may exacerbate anxiety acutely (both in "microdoses" and "full doses"), it induces long-lasting anxiolytic effects. Only two randomized controlled trials combining LSD and psychotherapy have been performed in patients with ADs with and without life-threatening conditions, showing a good safety profile and persisting decreases in anxiety outcomes. The effect of LSD on anxiety may be mediated by serotonin receptors (5-HT1A/1B, 5-HT2A/2C, and 5-HT7) and/or transporter in brain networks and circuits (default mode network, cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical circuit, and prefrontal cortex-amygdala circuit), involved in the modulation of anxiety. It remains unclear whether LSD can be an efficacious treatment alone or only when combined with psychotherapy, and if "microdosing" may elicit the same sustained anxiolytic effects as the "full doses". Further randomized controlled trials with larger sample size cohorts of patients with ADs are required to clearly define the effective regimens, safety profile, efficacy, and feasibility of LSD for the treatment of ADs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Inserra
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Avenue des Pins Ouest, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Alexandre Piot
- UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Avenue des Pins Ouest, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A1, Canada.
- McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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26
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Kooijman NI, Willegers T, Reuser A, Mulleners WM, Kramers C, Vissers KCP, van der Wal SEI. Are psychedelics the answer to chronic pain: A review of current literature. Pain Pract 2023; 23:447-458. [PMID: 36597700 DOI: 10.1111/papr.13203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
AIMS We aim to provide an evidence-based overview of the use of psychedelics in chronic pain, specifically LSD and psilocybin. CONTENT Chronic pain is a common and complex problem, with an unknown etiology. Psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, may play a role in the management of chronic pain. Through activation of the serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) receptor, several neurophysiological responses result in the disruption of functional connections in brain regions associated with chronic pain. Healthy reconnections can be made through neuroplastic effects, resulting in sustained pain relief. However, this process is not fully understood, and evidence of efficacy is limited and of low quality. In cancer and palliative related pain, the analgesic potential of psychedelics was established decades ago, and the current literature shows promising results on efficacy and safety in patients with cancer-related psychological distress. In other areas, patients suffering from severe headache disorders like migraine and cluster headache who have self-medicated with psychedelics report both acute and prophylactic efficacy of LSD and psilocybin. Randomized control trials are now being conducted to study the effects in cluster headache Furthermore, psychedelics have a generally favorable safety profile especially when compared to other analgesics like opioids. In addition, psychedelics do not have the addictive potential of opioids. IMPLICATIONS Given the current epidemic use of opioids, and that patients are in desperate need of an alternative treatment, it is important that further research is conducted on the efficacy of psychedelics in chronic pain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina I Kooijman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tim Willegers
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anke Reuser
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Wim M Mulleners
- Department of Neurology, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis Kramers
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kris C P Vissers
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Selina E I van der Wal
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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27
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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: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [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".
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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.
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28
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Inserra A, Giorgini G, Lacroix S, Bertazzo A, Choo J, Markopolous A, Grant E, Abolghasemi A, De Gregorio D, Flamand N, Rogers G, Comai S, Silvestri C, Gobbi G, Di Marzo V. Effects of repeated lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on the mouse brain endocannabinoidome and gut microbiome. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:721-739. [PMID: 36316276 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Psychedelics elicit prosocial, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects via neuroplasticity, neurotransmission and neuro-immunomodulatory mechanisms. Whether psychedelics affect the brain endocannabinoid system and its extended version, the endocannabinoidome (eCBome) or the gut microbiome, remains unknown. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Adult C57BL/6N male mice were administered lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or saline for 7 days. Sociability was assessed in the direct social interaction and three chambers tests. Prefrontal cortex and hippocampal endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid-like mediators and metabolites were quantified via high-pressure liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Neurotransmitter levels were assessed via HPLC-UV/fluorescence. Gut microbiome changes were investigated by 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing. KEY RESULTS LSD increased social preference and novelty and decreased hippocampal levels of the N-acylethanolamines N-linoleoylethanolamine (LEA), anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine) and N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA); the monoacylglycerol 1/2-docosahexaenoylglycerol (1/2-DHG); the prostaglandins D2 (PGD2 ) and F2α (PGF2α ); thromboxane 2 and kynurenine. Prefrontal eCBome mediator and metabolite levels were less affected by the treatment. LSD decreased Shannon alpha diversity of the gut microbiota, prevented the decrease in the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio observed in saline-treated mice and altered the relative abundance of the bacterial taxa Bifidobacterium, Ileibacterium, Dubosiella and Rikenellaceae RC9. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The prosocial effects elicited by repeated LSD administration are accompanied by alterations of hippocampal eCBome and kynurenine levels, and the composition of the gut microbiota. Modulation of the hippocampal eCBome and kynurenine pathway might represent a mechanism by which psychedelic compounds elicit prosocial effects and affect the gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Inserra
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Giada Giorgini
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Joint International Unit between the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy and Université Laval on Chemical and Biomolecular Research on the Microbiome and its Impact on Metabolic Health and Nutrition (UMI-MicroMeNu), Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Canada Research Excellence Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Sebastien Lacroix
- Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Québec, Canada
| | - Antonella Bertazzo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jocelyn Choo
- Microbiome and Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Infection and Immunity, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Athanasios Markopolous
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Emily Grant
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Armita Abolghasemi
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicolas Flamand
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Canada Research Excellence Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Geraint Rogers
- Microbiome and Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Infection and Immunity, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Stefano Comai
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristoforo Silvestri
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Canada Research Excellence Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Québec, Canada.,Centre NUTRISS, École de Nutrition, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation (FSAA), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Joint International Unit between the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy and Université Laval on Chemical and Biomolecular Research on the Microbiome and its Impact on Metabolic Health and Nutrition (UMI-MicroMeNu), Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Canada Research Excellence Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Québec, Canada.,Centre NUTRISS, École de Nutrition, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation (FSAA), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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Torrado Pacheco A, Olson RJ, Garza G, Moghaddam B. Acute psilocybin enhances cognitive flexibility in rats. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:1011-1020. [PMID: 36807609 PMCID: PMC10209151 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01545-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Psilocybin has been shown to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety when combined with psychotherapy or other clinician-guided interventions. To understand the neural basis for this pattern of clinical efficacy, experimental and conceptual approaches that are different than traditional laboratory models of anxiety and depression are needed. A potential novel mechanism is that acute psilocybin improves cognitive flexibility, which then enhances the impact of clinician-assisted interventions. Consistent with this idea, we find that acute psilocybin robustly improves cognitive flexibility in male and female rats using a task where animals switched between previously learned strategies in response to uncued changes in the environment. Psilocybin did not influence Pavlovian reversal learning, suggesting that its cognitive effects are selective to enhanced switching between previously learned behavioral strategies. The serotonin (5HT) 2 A receptor antagonist ketanserin blocked psilocybin's effect on set-shifting, while a 5HT2C-selective antagonist did not. Ketanserin alone also improved set-shifting performance, suggesting a complex relationship between psilocybin's pharmacology and its impact on flexibility. Further, the psychedelic drug 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) impaired cognitive flexibility in the same task, suggesting that this effect of psilocybin does not generalize to all other serotonergic psychedelics. We conclude that the acute impact of psilocybin on cognitive flexibility provides a useful behavioral model to investigate its neuronal effects relevant to its positive clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Torrado Pacheco
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
| | - Randall J Olson
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Gabriela Garza
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Bita Moghaddam
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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30
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Torrado Pacheco A, Olson RJ, Garza G, Moghaddam B. Acute psilocybin enhances cognitive flexibility in rats. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.09.523291. [PMID: 36712091 PMCID: PMC9881983 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.09.523291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Psilocybin has been shown to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety when combined with psychotherapy or other clinician-guided interventions. To understand the neural basis for this pattern of clinical efficacy, experimental and conceptual approaches that are different than traditional laboratory models of anxiety and depression are needed. A potential novel mechanism is that acute psilocybin improves cognitive flexibility, which then enhances the impact of clinician-assisted interventions. Consistent with this idea, we find that acute psilocybin robustly improves cognitive flexibility in male and female rats using a task where animals switched between previously learned strategies in response to uncued changes in the environment. Psilocybin did not influence Pavlovian reversal learning, suggesting that its cognitive effects are selective to enhanced switching between previously learned behavioral strategies. The serotonin (5HT) 2A receptor antagonist ketanserin blocked psilocybin's effect on set-shifting, while a 5HT2C-selective antagonist did not. Ketanserin alone also improved set-shifting performance, suggesting a complex relationship between psilocybin's pharmacology and its impact on flexibility. Further, the psychedelic drug 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) impaired cognitive flexibility in the same task, suggesting that this effect of psilocybin does not generalize to all other serotonergic psychedelics. We conclude that the acute impact of psilocybin on cognitive flexibility provides a useful behavioral model to investigate its neuronal effects relevant to its positive clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Randall J. Olson
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Gabriela Garza
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239
- Current address: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Bita Moghaddam
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239
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Oommen AM, Roberts KJ, Joshi L, Cunningham S. Transcriptomic Analysis of Glycosylation and Neuroregulatory Pathways in Rodent Models in Response to Psychedelic Molecules. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021200. [PMID: 36674723 PMCID: PMC9867456 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The potential for psychedelic molecules in impacting cognitive flexibility has long been supported and acknowledged across scientific reports. In the current study, an approach leveraging knowledge-based gene-set information analysis has been adopted to explore the potential impact of psychedelic molecules on both glycosylation, (a post-translational modifications (PTM)) and on neuro-regulatory pathways. Though limitations and restrictions rise from the scarcity of publicly available 'omics' data, targeted analysis enabled us to identify a number of key glycogenes (Hexb, Hs6st2, Col9a2, B3gat2, Mgat5, Bgn) involved the structural organization of extracellular matrix and neuroprotective factors (Kl, Pomc, Oxt, Gal, Avp, Cartpt) which play vital roles in neuron protection, development as well as synaptic stability. In response to psychedelic molecules, we found that these genes and associated pathways are transcriptional altered in rodent models. The approach used indicates the potential to exploit existing datasets for hypothesis generation and testing for the molecular processes which play a role in the physiological response to psychedelic molecule effects. These reported findings, which focused on alterations in glycogenes and neuro-regulatory factors may provide a novel range of biomarkers to track the beneficial, as well as potential toxicological effects of psychedelic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anup M. Oommen
- Advanced Glycoscience Research Cluster (AGRC), University of Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
- CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, Biomedical Sciences, University of Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
| | - Katherine J. Roberts
- Department of Health and Behaviour Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Lokesh Joshi
- Advanced Glycoscience Research Cluster (AGRC), University of Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
- CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, Biomedical Sciences, University of Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
- Correspondence: (L.J.); (S.C.)
| | - Stephen Cunningham
- Advanced Glycoscience Research Cluster (AGRC), University of Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
- CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, Biomedical Sciences, University of Galway, H91 W2TY Galway, Ireland
- Correspondence: (L.J.); (S.C.)
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Glazer J, Murray CH, Nusslock R, Lee R, de Wit H. Low doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) increase reward-related brain activity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:418-426. [PMID: 36284231 PMCID: PMC9751270 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01479-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Renewed interest in classic psychedelics as treatments for psychiatric disorders warrants a deeper understanding of their neural mechanisms. Single, high doses of psychedelic drugs have shown promise in treating depressive disorders, perhaps by reversing deficits in reward processing in the brain. In addition, there are anecdotal reports that repeated ingestion of low doses of LSD, or "microdosing", improve mood, cognition, and feelings of wellbeing. However, the effects of low doses of classic psychedelics on reward processing have not been studied. The current study examined the effects of two single, low doses of LSD compared to placebo on measures of reward processing. Eighteen healthy adults completed three sessions in which they received placebo (LSD-0), 13 μg LSD (LSD-13) and 26 μg LSD (LSD-26) in a within-subject, double-blind design. Neural activity was recorded while participants completed the electrophysiological monetary incentive delay task. Event-related potentials were measured during feedback processing (Reward-Positivity: RewP, Feedback-P3: FB-P3, and Late-Positive Potential: LPP). Compared to placebo, LSD-13 increased RewP and LPP amplitudes for reward (vs. neutral) feedback, and LSD-13 and LSD-26 increased FB-P3 amplitudes for positive (vs. negative) feedback. These effects were unassociated with most subjective measures of drug effects. Thus, single, low doses of LSD (vs. placebo) increased three reward-related ERP components reflecting increased hedonic (RewP), motivational (FB-P3), and affective processing of feedback (LPP). These results constitute the first evidence that low doses of LSD increase reward-related brain activity in humans. These findings may have important implications for the treatment of depressive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Glazer
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road Evanston, Chicago, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Conor H Murray
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Robin Nusslock
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road Evanston, Chicago, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Royce Lee
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Harriet de Wit
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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Desai S, Jain V, Xavier S, Du W. Hopelessness, Suicidality, and Co-Occurring Substance Use among Adolescent Hallucinogen Users-A National Survey Study. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9121906. [PMID: 36553349 PMCID: PMC9777343 DOI: 10.3390/children9121906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
(1) Objectives: Hallucinogens are being explored as a potential treatment of psychiatric disorders. Micro dosing of illicitly purchased hallucinogen drugs is on the rise despite conclusive benefits. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and odds of hopelessness, suicidality, and co-occurring substance use among adolescent hallucinogen users. (2) Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) 2001−2019 data that nationally represents school-going US adolescents. We identified hallucinogen use based on the survey questions, exploring the use of hallucinogens (LSD, PCP, mescaline, and mushrooms). (3) Results: Out of a total of 125,550 respondents, 8.4% reported using hallucinogens. Overall, the trend of hallucinogen use decreased from 13.3% (2001) to 7.0% (2019) (pTrend < 0.0001). Hallucinogen users were at high odds of feeling sad and hopeless (aOR: 1.40; 95%CI: 1.21−1.61; p < 0.0001), considering suicide (aOR: 1.36; 95%CI: 1.08−1.70; p = 0.009), and planning suicide (aOR: 1.49; 95%CI: 1.19−1.86; p = 0.001). Additionally, adolescent hallucinogen users had a higher prevalence of alcohol, cigarette, e-cigarette, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, inhalants, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and ecstasy use. (4) Conclusions: The overall trend of hallucinogen use decreased among school-going American adolescents. We found a high prevalence of co-occurring substance use among hallucinogen users. We found that hallucinogen users were at high odds of feeling sad, hopeless, and considering and planning suicide. Further research is needed to explore the effects of recreational hallucinogen use among the adolescent population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saral Desai
- Department of Psychiatry, Tower Health/Phoenixville Hospital, Phoenixville, PA 19460, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-630-880-8392
| | - Vidisha Jain
- Department of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Ajmer 305001, Rajasthan, India
| | - Sona Xavier
- Department of Psychiatry, Father Muller Medical College, Mangaluru 575002, Karnataka, India
| | - Wei Du
- Academic Affairs, Tower Health, West Reading, PA 19611, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
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Grinchii D, Hoener MC, Khoury T, Dekhtiarenko R, Nejati Bervanlou R, Jezova D, Dremencov E. Effects of acute and chronic administration of trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) ligands on in vivo excitability of central monoamine-secreting neurons in rats. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4861-4868. [PMID: 36045279 PMCID: PMC9763099 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01739-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) has been recently identified as a target for the future antidepressant, antipsychotic, and anti-addiction drugs. Full (e.g. RO5256390) and partial (e.g. RO5263397) TAAR1 agonists showed antidepressant-, antipsychotic- and anti-addiction-like behavioral effects in rodents and primates. Acute RO5256390 suppressed, and RO5263397 stimulated serotonin (5-HT) neurons of the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) and dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in brain slices, suggesting that the behavioral effects of TAAR1 ligands involve 5-HT and dopamine. For more comprehensive testing of this hypothesis, we examined acute and chronic effects of RO5256390 and RO5263397 on monoamine neurons in in vivo conditions. Excitability of 5-HT neurons of the DRN, noradrenaline neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC), and dopamine neurons of the VTA was assessed using single-unit electrophysiology in anesthetized rats. For acute experiments, RO5256390 and RO5263397 were administered intravenously; neuronal excitability after RO5256390 and RO5263397 administration was compared to the basal activity of the same neuron. For chronic experiments, RO5256390 was administered orally for fourteen days prior to electrophysiological assessments. The neuronal excitability in RO5256390-treated rats was compared to vehicle-treated controls. We found that acute RO5256390 inhibited 5-HT and dopamine neurons. This effect of RO5256390 was reversed by the subsequent and prevented by the earlier administration of RO5263397. Acute RO5256390 and RO5263397 did not alter the excitability of LC noradrenaline neurons in a statistically significant way. Chronic RO5256390 increased excitability of 5-HT neurons of the DRN and dopamine neurons of the VTA. In conclusion, the putative antidepressant and antipsychotic effects of TAAR1 ligands might be mediated, at least in part, via the modulation of excitability of central 5-HT and dopamine neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil Grinchii
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Marius C Hoener
- Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Talah Khoury
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Roman Dekhtiarenko
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Reyhaneh Nejati Bervanlou
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Jezova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eliyahu Dremencov
- Institute of Molecular Physiology and Genetics, Centre of Biosciences, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Shahar O, Botvinnik A, Esh-Zuntz N, Brownstien M, Wolf R, Lotan A, Wolf G, Lerer B, Lifschytz T. Role of 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT1A and TAAR1 Receptors in the Head Twitch Response Induced by 5-Hydroxytryptophan and Psilocybin: Translational Implications. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214148. [PMID: 36430623 PMCID: PMC9698447 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. In rodents, the serotonin precursor, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and psilocybin induce a characteristic 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR)-mediated head twitch response (HTR), which is correlated with the human psychedelic trip. We examined the role of other serotonergic receptors and the trace amine -associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) in modulating 5-HTP- and psilocybin-induced HTR. Male C57BL/6J mice (11 weeks, ~30 g) were administered 5-HTP, 50-250 mg/kg i.p., 200 mg/kg i.p. after pretreatment with 5-HT/TAAR1 receptor modulators, psilocybin 0.1-25.6 mg/kg i.p. or 4.4 mg/kg i.p., immediately preceded by 5-HT/TAAR1 receptor modulators. HTR was assessed in a custom-built magnetometer. 5-HTP and psilocybin induced a dose-dependent increase in the frequency of HTR over 20 min with attenuation by the 5-HT2AR antagonist, M100907, and the 5-HT1AR agonist, 8-OH-DPAT. The 5-HT2CR antagonist, RS-102221, enhanced HTR at lower doses but reduced it at higher doses. The TAAR1 antagonist, EPPTB, reduced 5-HTP- but not psilocybin-induced HTR. We have confirmed the key role of 5-HT2AR in HTR, an inhibitory effect of 5-HT1AR, a bimodal contribution of 5-HT2CR and a role of TAAR1 in modulating HTR induced by 5-HTP. Compounds that modulate psychedelic-induced HTR have important potential in the emerging therapeutic use of these compounds.
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Dourron HM, Strauss C, Hendricks PS. Self-Entropic Broadening Theory: Toward a New Understanding of Self and Behavior Change Informed by Psychedelics and Psychosis. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:982-1027. [DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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van Elk M, Yaden DB. Pharmacological, neural, and psychological mechanisms underlying psychedelics: A critical review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 140:104793. [PMID: 35878791 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
This paper provides a critical review of several possible mechanisms at different levels of analysis underlying the effects and therapeutic potential of psychedelics. At the (1) biochemical level, psychedelics primarily affect the 5-HT2A receptor, increase neuroplasticity, offer a critical period for social reward learning, and have anti-inflammatory properties. At the (2) neural level, psychedelics have been associated with reduced efficacy of thalamo-cortical filtering, the loosening of top-down predictive signaling and an increased sensitivity to bottom-up prediction errors, and activation of the claustro-cortical-circuit. At the (3) psychological level, psychedelics have been shown to induce altered and affective states, they affect cognition, induce belief change, exert social effects, and can result in lasting changes in behavior. We outline the potential for a unifying account of the mechanisms underlying psychedelics and contrast this with a model of pluralistic causation. Ultimately, a better understanding of the specific mechanisms underlying the effects of psychedelics could allow for a more targeted therapeutic approach. We highlight current challenges for psychedelic research and provide a research agenda to foster insight in the causal-mechanistic pathways underlying the efficacy of psychedelic research and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel van Elk
- Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - David Bryce Yaden
- The Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA
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Jaster AM, Elder H, Marsh SA, de la Fuente Revenga M, Negus SS, González-Maeso J. Effects of the 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist volinanserin on head-twitch response and intracranial self-stimulation depression induced by different structural classes of psychedelics in rodents. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1665-1677. [PMID: 35233648 PMCID: PMC10055857 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06092-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical studies suggest that psychedelics exert robust therapeutic benefits in a number of psychiatric conditions including substance use disorder. Preclinical studies focused on safety and efficacy of these compounds are necessary to determine the full range of psychedelics' effects. OBJECTIVES The present study explores the behavioral pharmacology of structurally distinct psychedelics in paradigms associated with serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) activation and behavioral disruption in two rodent models. Utilizing the selective 5-HT2AR antagonist volinanserin, we aimed to provide further pharmacological assessment of psychedelic effects in rodents. METHODS We compared volinanserin (0.0001-0.1 mg/kg) antagonism of the phenethylamine 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI, 1.0 mg/kg) and the ergoline lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD, 0.32 mg/kg) in preclinical assays predictive of hallucinations (head-twitch response or HTR in mice) and behavioral disruption (intracranial self-stimulation or ICSS in rats). Volinanserin antagonism of the phenethylamine mescaline, the tryptamine psilocybin, and the k-opioid receptor agonist salvinorin A was also evaluated in the rat ICSS assay. RESULTS Volinanserin had similar potency, effectiveness, and time-course to attenuate DOI-induced HTR in mice and ICSS depression in rats. Volinanserin completely blocked LSD-induced HTR in mice, but not LSD-induced ICSS depression in rats. Volinanserin also reversed ICSS depression by mescaline, but it was only partially effective to reduce the effects of psilocybin, and it exacerbated ICSS depression by salvinorin A. CONCLUSION Although hallucination-related HTR behavior induced by phenethylamine, ergoline, and tryptamine psychedelics appears to be 5-HT2AR-mediated, the receptor(s) responsible for behavioral disruptive effects may differ among these three structural classes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaina M Jaster
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Harrison Elder
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Samuel A Marsh
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Mario de la Fuente Revenga
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.,Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
| | - Javier González-Maeso
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
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Lawn T, Dipasquale O, Vamvakas A, Tsougos I, Mehta MA, Howard MA. Differential contributions of serotonergic and dopaminergic functional connectivity to the phenomenology of LSD. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022; 239:1797-1808. [PMID: 35322297 PMCID: PMC9166846 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06117-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE LSD is the prototypical psychedelic. Despite a clear central role of the 5HT2a receptor in its mechanism of action, the contributions of additional receptors for which it shows affinity and agonist activity remain unclear. OBJECTIVES We employed receptor-enriched analysis of functional connectivity by targets (REACT) to explore differences in functional connectivity (FC) associated with the distributions of the primary targets of LSD-the 5HT1a, 5HT1b, 5HT2a, D1 and D2 receptors. METHODS We performed secondary analyses of an openly available dataset (N = 15) to estimate the LSD-induced alterations in receptor-enriched FC maps associated with these systems. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed as a dimension reduction strategy for subjective experiences associated with LSD captured by the Altered States of Consciousness (ASC) questionnaire. Correlations between these principal components as well as VAS ratings of subjective effects with receptor-enriched FC were explored. RESULTS Compared to placebo, LSD produced differences in FC when the analysis was enriched with each of the primary serotonergic and dopaminergic receptors. Altered receptor-enriched FC showed relationships with the subjective effects of LSD on conscious experience, with serotonergic and dopaminergic systems being predominantly associated with perceptual effects and perceived selfhood as well as cognition respectively. These relationships were dissociable, with different receptors showing the same relationships within, but not between, the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems. CONCLUSIONS These exploratory findings provide new insights into the pharmacology of LSD and highlight the need for additional investigation of non-5HT2a-mediated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Lawn
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Ottavia Dipasquale
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Alexandros Vamvakas
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Medical Physics Department, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Ioannis Tsougos
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
- Medical Physics Department, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Mitul A. Mehta
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew A. Howard
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
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De Gregorio D, Inserra A, Enns JP, Markopoulos A, Pileggi M, El Rahimy Y, Lopez-Canul M, Comai S, Gobbi G. Repeated lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) reverses stress-induced anxiety-like behavior, cortical synaptogenesis deficits and serotonergic neurotransmission decline. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1188-1198. [PMID: 35301424 PMCID: PMC9018770 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01301-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a serotonergic psychedelic compound receiving increasing interest due to putative anxiolytic and antidepressant properties. However, the potential neurobiological mechanisms mediating these effects remain elusive. Employing in vivo electrophysiology, microionthophoresis, behavioral paradigms and morphology assays, we assessed the impact of acute and chronic LSD administration on anxiety-like behavior, on the cortical dendritic spines and on the activity of serotonin (5-HT) neurons originating in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) in male mice exposed to chronic restraint stress. We found that while the acute intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of LSD (5, 15 and 30 and 60 μg/kg) did not produce any anxiolytic or antidepressant effects in non-stressed mice, the dose of 30 µg/kg (daily for 7 days) prevented the stress-induced anxiety-like behavior and the stress-induced decrease of cortical spine densitiy. Interestingly, while LSD acutely decreased the firing activity of 5-HT neurons, repeated LSD increased their basal firing rate and restored the low 5-HT firing induced by stress. This effect was accompanied by a decreased inhibitory response of 5-HT neurons to microiontophoretic applications of the 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-N,N-dipropyl-2-aminotetralin). In conclusion, repeated LSD prevents the exacerbation of anxiety-like behavior following chronic stress exposure, but has no behavioral effects in non-stressed mice. These effects are paralleled by increased cortical spinogenesis and an enhancement of 5-HT neurotransmission which might be due to 5-HT1A receptors desensitization. Increased cortical spine density and enhancement of serotonergic neurotransmission may thus represent a candidate mechanism which mediate the therapeutic effects of serotonergic psychedelics on stress-induced anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo De Gregorio
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, H3A1A1 Montreal, QC Canada ,grid.15496.3f0000 0001 0439 0892Present Address: Division of Neuroscience, Vita Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Inserra
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, H3A1A1 Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Justine P. Enns
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, H3A1A1 Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Athanasios Markopoulos
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, H3A1A1 Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Michael Pileggi
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, H3A1A1 Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Youssef El Rahimy
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, H3A1A1 Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Martha Lopez-Canul
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, H3A1A1 Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Stefano Comai
- grid.63984.300000 0000 9064 4811Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, H3A1A1 Montreal, QC Canada ,grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy ,grid.15496.3f0000 0001 0439 0892Present Address: Division of Neuroscience, Vita Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University and Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, H3A1A1, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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41
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Markopoulos A, Inserra A, De Gregorio D, Gobbi G. Evaluating the Potential Use of Serotonergic Psychedelics in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:749068. [PMID: 35177979 PMCID: PMC8846292 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.749068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical and preclinical evidence points towards empathogenic and prosocial effects elicited by psychedelic compounds, notably the serotonin 5-HT2A agonists lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and their derivatives. These findings suggest a therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds for some of the behavioural traits associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by atypical social behaviour. In this review, we highlight evidence suggesting that psychedelics may potentially ameliorate some of the behavioural atypicalities of ASD, including reduced social behaviour and highly co-occurring anxiety and depression. Next, we discuss dysregulated neurobiological systems in ASD and how they may underlie or potentially limit the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. These phenomena include: 1) synaptic function, 2) serotonergic signaling, 3) prefrontal cortex activity, and 4) thalamocortical signaling. Lastly, we discuss clinical studies from the 1960s and 70s that assessed the use of psychedelics in the treatment of children with ASD. We highlight the positive behavioural outcomes of these studies, including enhanced mood and social behaviour, as well as the adverse effects of these trials, including increases in aggressive behaviour and dissociative and psychotic states. Despite preliminary evidence, further studies are needed to determine whether the benefits of psychedelic treatment in ASD outweigh the risks associated with the use of these compounds in this population, and if the 5-HT2A receptor may represent a target for social-behavioural disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Markopoulos
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Antonio Inserra
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Kelly JR, Gillan CM, Prenderville J, Kelly C, Harkin A, Clarke G, O'Keane V. Psychedelic Therapy's Transdiagnostic Effects: A Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Perspective. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:800072. [PMID: 34975593 PMCID: PMC8718877 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.800072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating clinical evidence shows that psychedelic therapy, by synergistically combining psychopharmacology and psychological support, offers a promising transdiagnostic treatment strategy for a range of disorders with restricted and/or maladaptive habitual patterns of emotion, cognition and behavior, notably, depression (MDD), treatment resistant depression (TRD) and addiction disorders, but perhaps also anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders. Despite the emergent transdiagnostic evidence, the specific clinical dimensions that psychedelics are efficacious for, and associated underlying neurobiological pathways, remain to be well-characterized. To this end, this review focuses on pre-clinical and clinical evidence of the acute and sustained therapeutic potential of psychedelic therapy in the context of a transdiagnostic dimensional systems framework. Focusing on the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) as a template, we will describe the multimodal mechanisms underlying the transdiagnostic therapeutic effects of psychedelic therapy, traversing molecular, cellular and network levels. These levels will be mapped to the RDoC constructs of negative and positive valence systems, arousal regulation, social processing, cognitive and sensorimotor systems. In summarizing this literature and framing it transdiagnostically, we hope we can assist the field in moving toward a mechanistic understanding of how psychedelics work for patients and eventually toward a precise-personalized psychedelic therapy paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R. Kelly
- Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Claire M. Gillan
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jack Prenderville
- Transpharmation Ireland Ltd, Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- Discipline of Physiology, School of Medicine, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Clare Kelly
- Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Psychology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Andrew Harkin
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gerard Clarke
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Veronica O'Keane
- Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
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Jaster AM, de la Fuente Revenga M, González-Maeso J. Molecular targets of psychedelic-induced plasticity. J Neurochem 2021; 162:80-88. [PMID: 34741320 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Psychedelic research across different disciplines and biological levels is growing at a remarkably fast pace. In the prospect of a psychedelic drug becoming again an approved treatment, much of these efforts have been oriented toward exploring the relationship between the actual psychedelic effects and those manifestations of therapeutic interest. Considering the central role of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor in the distinct effects of psychedelics in human psyche, neuropharmacology sits at the center of this debate and exploratory continuum. Here we discuss some of the most recent findings in human studies and contextualize them considering previous preclinical models studying phenomena related to synaptic plasticity. A special emphasis is placed on knowledge gaps, challenges, and limitations to evaluate the underpinnings of psychedelics' potential antidepressant action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaina M Jaster
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA.,Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Mario de la Fuente Revenga
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA.,Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Javier González-Maeso
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Cumming P, Scheidegger M, Dornbierer D, Palner M, Quednow BB, Martin-Soelch C. Molecular and Functional Imaging Studies of Psychedelic Drug Action in Animals and Humans. Molecules 2021; 26:2451. [PMID: 33922330 PMCID: PMC8122807 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hallucinogens are a loosely defined group of compounds including LSD, N,N-dimethyltryptamines, mescaline, psilocybin/psilocin, and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methamphetamine (DOM), which can evoke intense visual and emotional experiences. We are witnessing a renaissance of research interest in hallucinogens, driven by increasing awareness of their psychotherapeutic potential. As such, we now present a narrative review of the literature on hallucinogen binding in vitro and ex vivo, and the various molecular imaging studies with positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT). In general, molecular imaging can depict the uptake and binding distribution of labelled hallucinogenic compounds or their congeners in the brain, as was shown in an early PET study with N1-([11C]-methyl)-2-bromo-LSD ([11C]-MBL); displacement with the non-radioactive competitor ketanserin confirmed that the majority of [11C]-MBL specific binding was to serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. However, interactions at serotonin 5HT1A and other classes of receptors and pleotropic effects on second messenger pathways may contribute to the particular experiential phenomenologies of LSD and other hallucinogenic compounds. Other salient aspects of hallucinogen action include permeability to the blood-brain barrier, the rates of metabolism and elimination, and the formation of active metabolites. Despite the maturation of radiochemistry and molecular imaging in recent years, there has been only a handful of PET or SPECT studies of radiolabeled hallucinogens, most recently using the 5-HT2A/2C agonist N-(2[11CH3O]-methoxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy- 4-bromophenethylamine ([11C]Cimbi-36). In addition to PET studies of target engagement at neuroreceptors and transporters, there is a small number of studies on the effects of hallucinogenic compounds on cerebral perfusion ([15O]-water) or metabolism ([18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose/FDG). There remains considerable scope for basic imaging research on the sites of interaction of hallucinogens and their cerebrometabolic effects; we expect that hybrid imaging with PET in conjunction with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) should provide especially useful for the next phase of this research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Cumming
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4059, Australia
| | - Milan Scheidegger
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.S.); (D.D.); (B.B.Q.)
| | - Dario Dornbierer
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.S.); (D.D.); (B.B.Q.)
| | - Mikael Palner
- Odense Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark;
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, DK-5000 Odense, Denmark
- Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Boris B. Quednow
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Zurich, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland; (M.S.); (D.D.); (B.B.Q.)
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, CH-8058 Zurich, Switzerland
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Psychedelic Medicines in Major Depression: Progress and Future Challenges. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1305:515-533. [PMID: 33834416 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-33-6044-0_26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The volume of research on the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs has been increasing during the last decades. Partly because of the need of innovative treatments in psychiatry, several studies have assessed the safety and efficacy of drugs like psilocybin or ayahuasca for a wide range of mental disorders, including major depression. The first section of this chapter will offer an introduction to psychedelic research, including a brief historical overview and discussions about appropriate terminology. In the second section, the recently published clinical trials in which psychedelic drugs were administered to patients will be analysed in detail. Then, in the third section, the main neurobiological mechanisms of these drugs will be described, noting that while some of these mechanisms could be potentially associated with their therapeutic properties, they are commonly used as adjuvants in psychotherapeutic processes. The last section suggests future challenges for this groundbreaking field of research and therapy.
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Inserra A, De Gregorio D, Rezai T, Lopez-Canul MG, Comai S, Gobbi G. Lysergic acid diethylamide differentially modulates the reticular thalamus, mediodorsal thalamus, and infralimbic prefrontal cortex: An in vivo electrophysiology study in male mice. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:469-482. [PMID: 33645311 PMCID: PMC8058830 DOI: 10.1177/0269881121991569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The reticular thalamus gates thalamocortical information flow via finely tuned inhibition of thalamocortical cells in the mediodorsal thalamus. Brain imaging studies in humans show that the psychedelic lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) modulates activity and connectivity within the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuit, altering consciousness. However, the electrophysiological effects of LSD on the neurons in these brain areas remain elusive. METHODS We employed in vivo extracellular single-unit recordings in anesthetized adult male mice to investigate the dose-response effects of cumulative LSD doses (5-160 µg/kg, intraperitoneal) upon reticular thalamus GABAergic neurons, thalamocortical relay neurons of the mediodorsal thalamus, and pyramidal neurons of the infralimbic prefrontal cortex. RESULTS LSD decreased spontaneous firing and burst-firing activity in 50% of the recorded reticular thalamus neurons in a dose-response fashion starting at 10 µg/kg. Another population of neurons (50%) increased firing and burst-firing activity starting at 40 µg/kg. This modulation was accompanied by an increase in firing and burst-firing activity of thalamocortical neurons in the mediodorsal thalamus. On the contrary, LSD excited infralimbic prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons only at the highest dose tested (160 µg/kg). The dopamine D2 receptor (D2) antagonist haloperidol administered after LSD increased burst-firing activity in the reticular thalamus neurons inhibited by LSD, decreased firing and burst-firing activity in the mediodorsal thalamus, and showed a trend towards further increasing the firing activity of neurons of the infralimbic prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSION LSD modulates firing and burst-firing activity of reticular thalamus neurons and disinhibits mediodorsal thalamus relay neurons at least partially in a D2-mediated fashion. These effects of LSD on thalamocortical gating could explain its consciousness-altering effects in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Inserra
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Tamim Rezai
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Stefano Comai
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Qc, Canada
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Ramaekers JG, Hutten N, Mason NL, Dolder P, Theunissen EL, Holze F, Liechti ME, Feilding A, Kuypers KPC. A low dose of lysergic acid diethylamide decreases pain perception in healthy volunteers. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:398-405. [PMID: 32842825 PMCID: PMC8054163 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120940937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is an ergot alkaloid derivative with psychedelic properties that has been implicated in the management of persistent pain. Clinical studies in the 1960s and 1970s have demonstrated profound analgesic effects of full doses of LSD in terminally ill patients, but this line of research evaporated after LSD was scheduled worldwide. AIM The present clinical study is the first to revisit the potential of LSD as an analgesic, and at dose levels which are not expected to produce profound mind-altering effects. METHODS Twenty-four healthy volunteers received single doses of 5, 10 and 20 µg LSD as well as placebo on separate occasions. A Cold Pressor Test was administered at 1.5 and 5 h after treatment administration to assess pain tolerance to experimentally evoked pain. Ratings of dissociation and psychiatric symptoms as well as assessments of vital signs were included to monitor mental status as well as safety during treatments. RESULTS LSD 20 µg significantly increased the time that participants were able to tolerate exposure to cold (3°C) water and decreased their subjective levels of experienced pain and unpleasantness. LSD elevated mean blood pressure within the normal range and slightly increased ratings of dissociation, anxiety and somatization. CONCLUSION The present study provides evidence of a protracted analgesic effect of LSD at a dose that is low enough to avoid a psychedelic experience. The present data warrant further research into the analgesic effects of low doses of LSD in patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes G Ramaekers
- Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Nadia Hutten
- 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
| | - Patrick Dolder
- 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
| | - Friederike Holze
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Kim PC Kuypers
- Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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De Deurwaerdère P, Chagraoui A, Di Giovanni G. Serotonin/dopamine interaction: Electrophysiological and neurochemical evidence. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2021; 261:161-264. [PMID: 33785130 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in the central nervous system (CNS) plays an important role in the adaptive properties of living animals to their environment. These are two modulatory, divergent systems shaping and regulating in a widespread manner the activity of neurobiological networks and their interaction. The concept of one interaction linking these two systems is rather elusive when looking at the mechanisms triggered by these two systems across the CNS. The great variety of their interacting mechanisms is in part due to the diversity of their neuronal origin, the density of their fibers in a given CNS region, the distinct expression of their numerous receptors in the CNS, the heterogeneity of their intracellular signaling pathway that depend on the cellular type expressing their receptors, and the state of activity of neurobiological networks, conditioning the outcome of their mutual influences. Thus, originally conceptualized as inhibition of 5-HT on DA neuron activity and DA neurotransmission, this interaction is nowadays considered as a multifaceted, mutual influence of these two systems in the regulation of CNS functions. These new ways of understanding this interaction are of utmost importance to envision the consequences of their dysfunctions underlined in several CNS diseases. It is also essential to conceive the mechanism of action of psychotropic drugs directly acting on their function including antipsychotic, antidepressant, antiparkinsonian, and drug of abuse together with the development of therapeutic strategies of Alzheimer's diseases, epilepsy, obsessional compulsive disorders. The 5-HT/DA interaction has a long history from the serendipitous discovery of antidepressants and antipsychotics to the future, rationalized treatments of CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe De Deurwaerdère
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut des Neurosciences Intégratives et Cognitives d'Aquitaine, UMR 5287, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Abdeslam Chagraoui
- Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Differentiation and Communication, Institute for Research and Innovation in Biomedicine of Normandy (IRIB), Normandie University, UNIROUEN, INSERM U1239, Rouen, France; Department of Medical Biochemistry, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Neuroscience Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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Dysfunction of the serotonergic system in the brain of synapsin triple knockout mice is associated with behavioral abnormalities resembling synapsin-related human pathologies. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 105:110135. [PMID: 33058959 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Synapsins (Syns) are a family of phosphoproteins associated with synaptic vesicles (SVs). Their main function is to regulate neurotransmitter release by maintaining a reserve pool of SVs at the presynaptic terminal. Previous studies reported that the deletion of one or more Syn genes in mice results in an epileptic phenotype and autism-related behavioral abnormalities. Here we aimed at characterizing the behavioral phenotype and neurobiological correlates of the deletion of Syns in a Syn triple knockout (TKO) mouse model. Wild type (WT) and TKO mice were tested in the open field, novelty suppressed feeding, light-dark box, forced swim, tail suspension and three-chamber sociability tests. Using in vivo electrophysiology, we recorded the spontaneous activity of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonin (5-HT) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons. Levels of 5-HT and DA in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of WT and TKO mice were also assessed using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. TKO mice displayed hyperactivity and impaired social and anxiety-like behavior. Behavioral dysfunctions were accompanied by reduced firing activity of DRN 5-HT, but not VTA DA, neurons. TKO mice also showed increased responsiveness of DRN 5-HT-1A autoreceptors, measured as a reduced dose of the 5-HT-1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT necessary to inhibit DRN 5-HT firing activity by 50%. Finally, hippocampal 5-HT levels were lower in TKO than in WT mice. Overall, Syns deletion in mice leads to a reduction in DRN 5-HT firing activity and hippocampal 5-HT levels along with behavioral alterations reminiscent of human neuropsychiatric conditions associated with Syn dysfunction.
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De Gregorio D, Aguilar-Valles A, Preller KH, Heifets BD, Hibicke M, Mitchell J, Gobbi G. Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine. J Neurosci 2021; 41:891-900. [PMID: 33257322 PMCID: PMC7880300 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1659-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A revamped interest in the study of hallucinogens has recently emerged, especially with regard to their potential application in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. In the last decade, a plethora of preclinical and clinical studies have confirmed the efficacy of ketamine in the treatment of depression. More recently, emerging evidence has pointed out the potential therapeutic properties of psilocybin and LSD, as well as their ability to modulate functional brain connectivity. Moreover, MDMA, a compound belonging to the family of entactogens, has been demonstrated to be useful to treat post-traumatic stress disorders. In this review, the pharmacology of hallucinogenic compounds is summarized by underscoring the differences between psychedelic and nonpsychedelic hallucinogens as well as entactogens, and their behavioral effects in both animals and humans are described. Together, these data substantiate the potentials of these compounds in treating mental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danilo De Gregorio
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Argel Aguilar-Valles
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Katrin H Preller
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University of Zurich, CH-8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Boris Dov Heifets
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
| | - Meghan Hibicke
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
| | - Jennifer Mitchell
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
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