Chromosome Studies on Patients (in Vivo) and Cells (in Vitro) Treated with Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
New England Journal of Medicine April 23, 1970 DOI: 10.1056/nejm197004232821702 via Elsevier
Summary
In a prospective study of 10 patients given d-lysergic acid diethylamide 25, the frequency of chromosome breakage did not differ between samples taken immediately before and 24 hours after treatment. Among 11 patients treated over periods from 24 hours to eight years before sampling, the frequency of chromosomal breaks was similar to that in untreated controls. In an in vitro study, adding 1 μg per milliliter of the drug during the last 24 hours of culture increased chromosomal breakage in replicate cultures from each of 10 subjects. The authors conclude there is no cytogenetic evidence that therapeutic use of d-lysergic acid diethylamide 25 produces chromosomal damage, while aberrations after illicit use remain unexplained.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Prospective study and in vitro study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 21 |
| Population | Patients given d-lysergic acid diethylamide 25 and untreated controls |
| Citations | 25 |
| Key finding | Therapeutic administration of d-lysergic acid diethylamide 25 does not produce chromosomal damage. |
Abstract
In a prospective study of 10 patients given d-lysergic acid diethylamide 25, there was no difference in frequency of chromosome breakage between samples obtained immediately before and 24 hours after treatment. In 11 patients, treated over periods ranging from 24 hours to eight years before sampling, the frequency of chromosomal breaks did not differ from that found in untreated controls. In an in vitro study the frequency of chromosomal breaks was increased in replicate cultures from each of 10 subjects when 1 μg per milliliter of d-lysergic acid diethylamide 25 was added during the last 24 hours of culture. There is no cytogenetic evidence that d-lysergic acid diethylamide 25 given therapeutically produces chromosomal damage. The chromosomal aberrations found after illicit use of the drug remain unexplained.