Psilocybin decreases neural responsiveness and increases functional connectivity while preserving pure-tone frequency selectivity in mouse auditory cortex
Journal of Neurophysiology – May 29, 2024
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Remarkably, psilocybin profoundly alters how the brain processes sound. A recent neuroscience investigation, conducted in awake mice, reveals this hallucinogen modulates the auditory cortex's response to external stimuli versus internal neural activity. This serotonergic psychedelic reshapes perception, offering insights into its therapeutic potential. While much psychology research on psychedelics focuses on the visual cortex, these drug studies highlight broader neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. For instance, other research explores nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, demonstrating diverse mechanisms in drug studies.
Abstract
Recent studies have shown promising therapeutic potential for psychedelics in treating neuropsychiatric conditions. Musical experience during psilocybin-assisted therapy is predictive of treatment outcome, yet little is known about how psilocybin affects auditory processing. Here, we conducted two-photon imaging experiments in auditory cortex of awake mice that received a dose of psilocybin. Our results suggest that psilocybin modulates the roles of intrinsic neural activity versus stimulus-driven influences on auditory perception.