Understanding Central Nervous System Effects of Deliriant Hallucinogenic Drugs through Experimental Animal Models
Andrey D. Volgin, Oleg A. Yakovlev, Konstantin A. Demin, Polina A. Alekseeva, Evan J. Kyzar, Christopher Collins, David E. Nichols, Allan V. Kalueff
ACS Chemical Neuroscience September 25, 2018 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00433 via OpenAlex
Summary
Deliriant hallucinogens, such as atropine and scopolamine, are a distinct class of drugs that induce hyperactivity and dream-like hallucinations by blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Despite their long history of use and being well-studied in cholinergic physiology, they are the least-studied class of hallucinogens regarding their behavioral and neurological effects. This review comprehensively evaluates the preclinical effects of these drugs in various animal models, detailing their mechanisms of action and potential interactions with other signaling pathways. It parallels experimental and clinical findings to outline future directions for translational research, emphasizing the need for novel approaches and new model organisms to investigate their central nervous system effects.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Neuroscience Cholinergic Pharmacology Parasympatholytic |
| Citations | 38 |
| Key finding | Deliriant hallucinogens are the least-studied class of hallucinogens in terms of behavioral and neurological phenotypes, and novel approaches and model organisms are needed to investigate their CNS effects. |
Abstract
Hallucinogenic drugs potently alter human behavior and have a millennia-long history of use for medicinal and religious purposes. Interest is rapidly growing in their potential as CNS modulators and therapeutic agents for brain conditions. Antimuscarinic cholinergic drugs, such as atropine and scopolamine, induce characteristic hyperactivity and dream-like hallucinations and form a separate group of hallucinogens known as "deliriants". Although atropine and scopolamine are relatively well-studied drugs in cholinergic physiology, deliriants represent the least-studied class of hallucinogens in terms of their behavioral and neurological phenotypes. As such, novel approaches and new model organisms are needed to investigate the CNS effects of these compounds. Here, we comprehensively evaluate the preclinical effects of deliriant hallucinogens in various animal models, their mechanisms of action, and potential interplay with other signaling pathways. We also parallel experimental and clinical findings on deliriant agents and outline future directions of translational research in this field.