Multimodal Neuroimaging of the Effect of Serotonergic Psychedelics on the Brain.
AJNR. American journal of neuroradiology – February 15, 2024
Source: PubMed
Summary
Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and LSD show remarkable potential in rewiring brain networks, offering hope for treating depression, PTSD, and addiction. Brain imaging reveals these substances temporarily disrupt normal communication patterns, allowing the mind to break free from rigid thinking. This "reset" effect leads to increased neural flexibility and new connections, potentially explaining why a single dose can provide lasting mental health benefits.
Abstract
The neurobiological mechanisms underpinning psychiatric disorders such as treatment-resistant major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders, remain unknown. Psychedelic compounds, such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and N,N-dimethyltryptamine, have emerged as potential therapies for these disorders because of their hypothesized ability to induce neuroplastic effects and alter functional networks in the brain. Yet, the mechanisms underpinning the neurobiological treatment response remain obscure. Quantitative neuroimaging is uniquely positioned to provide insight into the neurobiological mechanisms of these emerging therapies and quantify the patient treatment response. This review aims to synthesize our current state-of-the-art understanding of the functional changes occurring in the brain following psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, or N,N-dimethyltryptamine administration in human participants with fMRI and PET. We further aim to disseminate our understanding of psychedelic compounds as they relate to neuroimaging with the goal of improved diagnostics and treatment of neuropsychiatric illness.