Psilocybin does not induce the vulnerability marker HSP70 in neurons susceptible to Olney’s lesions
European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience – November 07, 2023
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, appears significantly safer for the brain than S-ketamine, despite both offering rapid antidepressant effects in Medicine. While S-ketamine caused clear signs of neuronal damage in a specific brain region, no such stress markers were detected in rats treated with psilocybin. This Neuroscience insight, vital for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, suggests psilocybin's chemical properties present less of a vulnerability to brain health. Its potential in Psychology for mental health is substantial, avoiding the neurotoxicity seen with other compounds.
Abstract
Abstract S-ketamine, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, and psilocybin, a 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (serotonin) 2A receptor (5-HT 2A R) agonist, are reported as effective rapid-acting antidepressants. Both compounds increase glutamate signalling and evoke cortical hyperexcitation. S-ketamine induces neurotoxicity especially in the retrosplenial cortex (Olney’s lesions). Whether psilocybin produces similar neurotoxic effects has so far not been investigated. We performed an immunohistochemical whole-brain mapping for heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in rats treated with psilocybin, S-ketamine, and MK-801. In contrast to S-ketamine- and MK-801-treated animals, we did not detect any HSP70-positive neurons in retrosplenial cortex of rats treated with psilocybin. Our results suggest that psilocybin might be safer for clinical use compared to S-ketamine regarding neuronal damage.