CSF galanin and noradrenaline downregulation by psilocybin therapy in major depressive disorder
Wojciech Pasławski, D Doyon, Carl Johan Ekman, Hampus Yngwe, Dejan Mamula, Justyna Zarȩba-pasławska, Maria Beckman, Qing Xu, Tomas Hökfelt, Mikael Tiger, Johan Lundberg, Per Svenningsson
Neuropsychopharmacology July 7, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1038/s41386-026-02490-3 via OpenAlex
Summary
Psilocybin acts quickly as an antidepressant in major depressive disorder by selectively reducing levels of galanin and noradrenaline in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This suggests that the normalization of these co-transmitters plays a significant role in its pharmacodynamic effects.
Study at a glance
| Design | secondary analysis |
|---|---|
| Population | participants from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial |
| Key finding | Psilocybin selectively reduced CSF galanin and noradrenaline, indicating that normalizing these co-transmitters is a key pharmacodynamic signature. |
Abstract
Psilocybin is a rapid-acting antidepressant, but its mechanism of action in major depressive disorder remains unclear. In this secondary analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trial with multimodal CSF and blood biomarker measurements, psilocybin selectively reduced CSF galanin and noradrenaline, implicating that normalization of these co-transmitters is a key pharmacodynamic signature.