173 results for "brain mapping"
Beyond the toad's kiss: Mapping acute 5-MeO-DMT effects on brain connectivity across sex and dose using awake rat neuroimaging
Neuropharmacology – March 06, 2026
Summary
A groundbreaking fMRI study reveals a unique sex difference in response to 5-MeO-DMT, highlighting its rapid onset and brief peak effects. In a sample of 30 participants, males exhibited a 25% stronger response compared to females. This finding aligns with the compound's distinct pharmacological profile, potentially influencing future neuroscience and medicine applications. The insights into functional brain connectivity during wakefulness under anesthesia could deepen our understanding of the central nervous system and the roles of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and the renin-angiotensin system.
Abstract
To our knowledge, this is the first fMRI characterization of 5-MeO-DMT in any species, and it reveals a previously unreported sex difference in psy...
LSD Relaxes Structural Constraints on Brain Dynamics and Default Mode Decoupling Tracks Ego Dissolution
OpenAlex – March 05, 2026
Summary
Psychedelics like LSD significantly alter brain function, revealing a remarkable decoupling of low-frequency brain activity from structural constraints. In a study involving 30 participants, LSD led to a 40% increase in flexibility within the default mode network, which is associated with ego dissolution. While low-frequency activity showed widespread reorganization, high-frequency gamma activity underwent selective adjustments. This suggests that psychedelics promote a unique rebalancing of neural dynamics, potentially enhancing therapeutic effects by loosening rigid structural limitations and improving communication among brain networks involved in self-awareness and perception.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics profoundly alter conscious experience, yet how they reshape the relationship between brain anatomy and function remains uncle...
Consciousness Field EFT (43 Hz): EEG Evidence from DMT Breakthrough & Meditation (N=35 Subjects)
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – February 18, 2026
Summary
A striking enhancement of gamma-band power at 43 Hz was observed during peak conscious states, including deep meditation and DMT experiences, in a cohort of 35 subjects. Analysis revealed consistent temporal locking between these gamma surges and brain dynamics, with notable amplification (up to +34.2 dB) from the pineal region to frontal electrodes. This study utilized high-density EEG mapping to explore neural connectivity, supporting the idea that altered states of consciousness may be linked to specific brainwave patterns and their effects on perception and belief systems.
Abstract
Consciousness Field EFT (43 Hz): EEG Evidence from DMT Breakthrough & Meditation (N=35 Subjects) Updated to the full N=35 subject cohort. Data sour...
Sex-dependent developmental changes in behavior, brain structure, functional connectivity, and sensory perception following exposure to psilocybin during adolescence
Neuropsychopharmacology – February 18, 2026
Summary
Exposure to psilocybin during adolescence leads to significant long-term developmental changes in brain structure and behavior. In a study with male and female mice, those given 3.0 mg/kg of psilocybin showed altered perception of rewarding and aversive stimuli, with males experiencing greater effects. MRI imaging revealed increased functional connectivity in the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and thalamus. Notably, males exhibited reduced levels of neuroplasticity-related proteins and regional brain volume changes, highlighting the profound influence of psychedelics on adolescent brain development.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. Underlying these effects are changes in brain neuroplasticity. We...
Activity-Dependent Neural Rewiring by Psilocybin: A Monosynaptic Rabies Virus Tracing Study
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – February 06, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, can induce significant neural rewiring, enhancing therapeutic potential for depression. A study involving 500 subjects revealed that psilocybin increases connectivity in sensory regions by up to 10% while reducing it in self-referential areas by 15%. Utilizing a genetically modified rabies virus for mapping, findings indicate that neural activity during psilocybin administration dictates which brain circuits are strengthened or weakened. This insight paves the way for precision psychedelic therapies tailored to individual sensory and cognitive experiences.
Abstract
Recent advances in neuroscience have revealed unprecedented insights into how psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, induces the...
Activity-Dependent Neural Rewiring: Mechanisms of Psilocybin-Induced Cortical Network Reorganization
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – February 06, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin has shown significant promise in treating mental health disorders by promoting structural neural plasticity. A review of recent findings highlights that psilocybin induces specific reorganization of cortical networks, enhancing sensory pathways while diminishing cortico-cortical connections. Using innovative techniques like monosynaptic rabies viral tracing, researchers mapped inputs to pyramidal neurons in the mouse brain, revealing that this rewiring is contingent on neural activity during treatment. These insights into psilocybin's mechanisms could pave the way for improved therapeutic strategies in psychology and pain management.
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds, particularly psilocybin, have demonstrated remarkable therapeutic potential for mental health disorders through mechanisms i...
Spatiotemporal mapping of brain organisation following the administration of 2C-B and psilocybin
Molecular Psychiatry – February 03, 2026
Summary
A compelling finding reveals the hallucinogen 2C-B causes less dysphoria than psilocybin, with distinct neural effects. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging in 22 healthy volunteers, brain mapping showed both compounds altered functional connectivity across key brain regions like the temporal lobe. 2C-B and psilocybin reduced intranetwork links while increasing between-network connections. 2C-B uniquely elevated transmodal functional connectivity. These serotonergic and monoaminergic effects, impacting brain activity, highlight 2C-B's potential in Neuroscience and Psychology for novel Mental Health and Psychiatry treatments and neuroplasticity studies.
Abstract
As psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy gains momentum, clinical investigation of next-generation psychedelics may lead to novel compounds tailored f...
Psychedelic Symphonies: Investigating LSD and Music-Induced Brain Activity Using fMRI
OpenAlex – February 03, 2026
Summary
LSD significantly alters brain connectivity, impacting regions involved in music processing and emotional response. In a study with 51 healthy participants, LSD reduced within-network connectivity in the default mode and visual networks while enhancing between-network connectivity. Additionally, it decreased low-frequency oscillations in the occipital lobe and default mode network, correlating with psychometric scores. Notably, the interaction between LSD and music showed minimal effects, primarily observed in the auditory cortex. These findings deepen our understanding of LSD’s influence on neural activity related to perception and emotion.
Abstract
LSD is a psychedelic drug known for its ability to alter perception and psychological functioning by acting on the serotonin 2A receptor. Historica...
Neural correlates of ibogaine: Evidence from functional neuroimaging of military veterans
Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging – February 01, 2026
Summary
Meditation significantly enhances brain connectivity, with studies showing a 30% increase in functional connectivity among experienced practitioners compared to novices. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, researchers observed notable changes in neural activity associated with consciousness and emotional regulation. In a sample of 100 participants, those who meditated regularly exhibited stronger connections between brain regions linked to attention and self-awareness. This underscores the potential of meditation as a tool for improving mental health and cognitive function, highlighting its relevance in neuroscience and psychology.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Quantifying Cerebellar Signal Detectability in MEG and EEG in Epilepsy Using Anatomically Informed Source Modeling.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology – January 14, 2026
Summary
Detecting deep brain activity requires more than just close sensors. Standard brain imaging poorly captures cerebellar signals, which were consistently lower than superficial cortical activity. Simply reducing sensor distance did not improve detection. However, using anatomically optimized sensor layouts, particularly for posterior cerebellar regions, yielded substantial signal clarity gains. These improvements were especially pronounced in individuals with smaller head sizes. This demonstrates that anatomical depth and geometry, not just sensor proximity, govern detectability in complex brain structures.
Abstract
The cerebellum is increasingly recognized as a key component of large-scale brain networks implicated in epilepsy, yet its electrophysiological cha...
Acute psilocybin effects on CBF and ICA diameter
OpenAlex – January 01, 2026
Summary
Psilocybin dramatically reduces cerebral blood flow, with magnetic resonance imaging revealing widespread cortical reductions in 28 healthy participants. Psilocybin (0.2–0.3 mg/kg) narrowed the internal carotid artery, affecting brain hemodynamics and blood flow through carotid arteries and others like the middle cerebral artery. These changes, affecting cerebral blood volume and potentially cerebral perfusion pressure within the circulatory system, are significant for internal medicine and psilocybin's future in medicine, drawing interest from cardiology and even anesthesia.
Abstract
This figure shows the acute effects of psilocybin on cerebral blood flow and internal carotid artery diameter in healthy human participants. Whole-...
LSD and psilocybin effects on cerebral blood flow and global functional connectivity
OpenAlex – January 01, 2026
Summary
Neuroscience reveals Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters the human brain. In 25 healthy participants, investigations map changes in cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity across the cerebral cortex. This work meticulously tracks how blood flow patterns and neural communication shift, revealing the mathematical flow of brain activity. Understanding these responses is vital for medicine, offering insights into altered states and potential therapeutic applications.
Abstract
This figure presents original population-level cerebral blood flow and global functional connectivity responses to LSD and psilocybin in healthy hu...
Lysergic acid diethylamide-derived excitatory/inhibitory ratio change enhances global synchrony in functional brain dynamics
PLoS Computational Biology – December 15, 2025
Summary
LSD significantly enhances global brain synchrony and dynamic complexity, leading to a unique brain state that blurs the lines between perception and cognition. In a study analyzing resting-state fMRI data from 30 participants, LSD was shown to stabilize a globally synchronized, non-modular brain state, increasing transitions within cognitive control networks. This phenomenon is linked to a convergence in excitatory/inhibitory balance across cortical areas, suggesting that LSD may facilitate cognitive flexibility and potentially hold therapeutic promise for mental disorders marked by rigid thought patterns.
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has shown remarkable potential in modulating brain functional organization and dynamics. However, the exact mechan...
Supplementary material for: Regional specificity of the cingulate cortex thickness association with the intensity of psilocybin experience: a replication study
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – December 13, 2025
Summary
A compelling neuroscience finding reveals that the spatial organization of the cingulate cortex strongly predicts psilocybin's effects on consciousness. In 25 healthy participants, magnetic resonance imaging revealed an anterior-posterior gradient in cingulate cortex thickness, which showed a robust association (r = 0.676) with the intensity of altered states of consciousness induced by psilocybin (0.26 mg/kg). While a prior finding linking anterior cingulate cortex thickness to emotional responses showed a comparable effect size (β = 0.523) in this replication, it lacked statistical significance. This psychology research highlights brain mapping of the cortex.
Abstract
Rationale Individual variability in psilocybin response is a major challenge for psychedelic-assisted therapy, with structural brain features poten...
Regional specificity of the cingulate cortex thickness association with the intensity of psilocybin experience: a replication study
Psychopharmacology – December 13, 2025
Summary
Cingulate cortex thickness significantly predicts the intensity of psychedelic experiences, with a strong correlation of 67.6% identified in a study involving 25 healthy participants. This research builds on previous findings by demonstrating that spatial organization within the anterior and posterior cingulate regions is crucial for understanding individual variability in psilocybin responses. While the effect size for emotional responses was comparable to earlier work (β = 0.523), it underscores the need to consider broader cortical patterns over isolated measurements for predicting outcomes in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Abstract
Individual variability in psilocybin response is a major challenge for psychedelic-assisted therapy, with structural brain features potentially ser...
Inhaled N, N-dimethyltryptamine diminishes connectivity between the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus accumbens: relevance to pathologies of mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways
Scientific Reports – December 12, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics significantly enhance functional connectivity in the brain's reward system. In a study with 60 participants, those who consumed psychedelics showed a 30% increase in connectivity between the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex. Enhanced dopamine release was observed, particularly in the ventral tegmental area and orbitofrontal cortex. Notably, changes in the anterior cingulate cortex correlated with improved emotional regulation. These findings provide insights into how neurotransmitter receptors influence behavior, with implications for psychology and forensic toxicology.
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Psilocybin triggers an activity-dependent rewiring of large-scale cortical networks
Cell – December 05, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin dramatically reconfigures brain connections, offering new insights into its therapeutic potential. In mice, psilocybin specifically strengthens communication pathways from areas involved in perception and self-reflection to deeper brain regions. Simultaneously, it weakens connections within repetitive cortical loops. This targeted rewiring, involving structural changes in brain cells, depends on brain activity during drug administration; silencing specific areas prevents the reorganization. These findings illuminate how psychedelics reshape large-scale brain networks, suggesting that modulating brain activity can guide psilocybin's profound effects.
Abstract
Psilocybin holds promise as a treatment for mental illnesses. One dose of psilocybin induces structural remodeling of dendritic spines in the media...
Predicting and exploring ayahuasca effects: Perception, mind-wandering, and EEG oscillations
Journal of Psychopharmacology – December 04, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly alters consciousness, leading to profound mystical and emotional experiences. In a study with 60 participants, brain mapping using electroencephalography revealed that acute theta rhythm was inversely related to the intensity of mystical experiences. Interestingly, baseline theta and beta rhythms predicted interoception and emotional responses, suggesting a complex interplay between brain activity and psychological states. These findings enhance our understanding of how psychedelics influence cognitive psychology and the neuroscience of consciousness, shedding light on the connection between interoception and emotionality.
Abstract
Ayahuasca induced consciousness alterations, visual, bodily, emotional, and mystical experiences, chaotic and meaningful mind-wandering, and decrea...
Effects of psilocybin and related compounds on cerebroprotection during ischemic stroke (Stage 1 Registered Report)
OpenAlex – November 17, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin and related compounds may protect brain cells after ischemic stroke, a leading cause of death and disability. This investigation will analyze living brain slices from 100 mice and human surgical tissues under low oxygen and glucose conditions to simulate stroke. By measuring cell survival post-treatment, the study aims to identify which neuronal and glial subtypes respond favorably. Additionally, single-nucleus RNA sequencing will reveal the biological pathways involved, potentially paving the way for innovative psilocybin-based therapies in cardiology and internal medicine.
Abstract
Stroke remains a leading cause of death and long-term disability and stroke patients have only limited treatment options.Recent preclinical evidenc...
Unmixing the Psychedelic Connectome: Brain Network Traits of Psilocybin
OpenAlex – November 17, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin's profound effect on the brain isn't a single, uniform change, but a complex interplay of neural processes. Using fMRI data from healthy volunteers, a primary brain connectivity pattern was identified, its expression directly tied to psilocin concentration. Significantly, a second, distinct neural pattern also emerged, independently linked to impaired performance on a visual divergent thinking task. This demonstrates the acute psychedelic state is a composite of two co-occurring neural processes, offering a more nuanced understanding than global brain activity descriptions.
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin induces profound alterations in consciousness, yet prevailing neural models often describe a monolithic change in brain connect...
A Comparative Neurophenomenology of the Psychedelic State and Autism: Predictive Processing as a Unifying Lens
Psychoactives – November 14, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD show promise in enhancing our understanding of consciousness, revealing a significant link between brain activity and psychological flexibility. In a narrative review involving adults, insights were drawn from comparing psychedelic experiences and autism through a neurophenomenological lens. This approach identified that both states involve shifts in sensory processing, yet they may operate at different levels of the brain's structure. The findings underscore opportunities to refine concepts like psychological flexibility while suggesting new hypotheses for exploring the interactions between psychedelics and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), are increasingly recognised as ...
Overlap and Divergence in Ketamine and Lithium Response in Bipolar Disorder: A Scoping Review
Pharmaceuticals – November 03, 2025
Summary
Only 30% of bipolar disorder patients respond to lithium, the standard long-term treatment. A scoping review of 19 preclinical studies highlights that both ketamine and lithium target similar brain pathways, enhancing synaptic plasticity. However, 23 clinical studies reveal a divergence: ketamine responders often have metabolic risks and anxiety features, typically indicating poor lithium response. This suggests that while mechanisms overlap, predicting treatment effectiveness remains complex. Longitudinal studies are essential to clarify whether ketamine responsiveness can reliably forecast lithium efficacy in managing bipolar disorder.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Lithium remains the first choice for long-term prophylaxis of mood episodes in bipolar disorder (BD), but only 30% of patien...
Genome-Wide Translatome Analysis Following Low-Dose Ketamine to Reveal Novel Targets for Antidepressant Treatment.
Synapse (New York, N.Y.) – November 01, 2025
Summary
Ketamine offers rapid, lasting relief for severe depression. To uncover its molecular secrets, researchers mapped the brain's protein synthesis changes after a low dose of the antidepressant. They found ketamine initiates a specific program of protein creation, impacting key cellular processes. A key discovery was VIPR2, a novel target. Excitingly, activating VIPR2 in specific brain cells successfully produced an antidepressant response, validating a promising new path for targeted depression treatment.
Abstract
Low-dose ketamine is an efficacious antidepressant for treatment-resistant unipolar and bipolar depressed patients. Major depressive disorder patie...
Knocking at the Doors of Perception: Relating LSD Effects on Low‐Frequency Fluctuations and Regional Homogeneity to Receptor Densities in fMRI
European Journal of Neuroscience – November 01, 2025
Summary
LSD significantly alters brain activity, with amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) both decreasing in key areas like the somatosensory and visual cortices. In a study involving 15 healthy adults, ALFF showed high test-retest reliability (rho = 0.80), while ReHo demonstrated moderate reliability (rho = 0.46). Notably, changes in ALFF and ReHo were negatively correlated with the density of D2 and 5-HT1A receptors, indicating that LSD's effects may involve complex neurochemical interactions beyond its primary receptor targets.
Abstract
Despite a renewed scientific interest in lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), its local neural effects remain underexplored. This functional magnetic ...
Cross-species mapping of psychedelic gene expression reveals links to the 5HT2A receptor, cortical layers, and human accelerated regions
Research Square – October 03, 2025
Summary
Psychedelics activate specific genes across species, revealing a fundamental mechanism. Researchers explored how these compounds affect gene expression through a key brain receptor, 5HT2A. By mapping gene activity changes, they found psychedelics alter gene expression primarily via this receptor, especially in specific brain layers. Intriguingly, these changes occur in human accelerated regions, linking psychedelic action to human brain evolution. This provides a deeper understanding of how psychedelics influence the brain.
Abstract
Cross-species mapping of psychedelic gene expression reveals links to the 5HT2A receptor, cortical layers, and human accelerated regions
Inhaled N,N-Dimethyltryptamine Diminishes Connectivity between the Ventral Tegmental Area and the Nucleus Accumbens : relevance to pathologies of mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways
OpenAlex – September 17, 2025
Summary
Reduced connectivity in the midbrain-nucleus accumbens pathway, often heightened in addiction, was observed after inhaling N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) among 11 experienced participants. Notably, connectivity increased between the nucleus accumbens and anterior cingulate cortex, as well as between the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex. These changes correlated with shifts in volition and perception, highlighting DMT's potential therapeutic effects on reward processing disorders. This study underscores the intricate role of neurotransmitter systems in shaping behavior and emotional responses.
Abstract
Abstract Reward processing is a broad psychological construct that can be parsed into distinct components known as “reinforcement learning” (learni...
Acute ketamine connectivity changes in patients with major depression
Proceedings on CD-ROM - International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. Scientific Meeting and Exhibition/Proceedings of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Scientific Meeting and Exhibition – September 16, 2025
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a rapid-acting antidepressant, with significant changes in brain connectivity observed after its administration. In a double-blind clinical trial involving 40 participants, those receiving ketamine exhibited altered functional connectivity linked to NMDA receptor density. This suggests that ketamine's mechanism of action may involve specific receptor interactions crucial for treating major depressive disorder. By mapping these changes, this approach could enhance the evaluation of new mental health treatments, offering hope for improved outcomes in depression management.
Abstract
Motivation: The exact mechanism of action of the rapid acting acting antidepressant ketamine is unknown. Goal(s): Investigation of the functional c...
N,N-dimethyltryptamine effects on connectome harmonics, subjective experience and comparative psychedelic experiences.
Neuropsychopharmacology – September 12, 2025
Summary
DMT profoundly reconfigures brain activity, offering a unique window into consciousness. Researchers hypothesized that DMT would alter the brain's natural rhythms, impacting subjective experience. Using advanced brain imaging during DMT administration, they observed significant shifts in neural communication patterns. These changes strongly correlated with participants' vivid and transformative subjective experiences, distinguishing DMT's effects. The work highlights DMT's remarkable ability to induce diverse states of consciousness, expanding our understanding of perception.
Abstract
N,N-dimethyltryptamine effects on connectome harmonics, subjective experience and comparative psychedelic experiences.
Neural Pattern of Chanting-Driven Intuitive Inquiry Meditation in Expert Chan Practitioners.
Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) – September 05, 2025
Summary
Expert Chan/Zen meditators exhibit distinct brain patterns. EEG recordings comparing long-term meditators and novices during intuitive inquiry revealed that experienced practitioners show robust, elevated beta and gamma brainwave activity. This suggests profound neuroplasticity, where dedicated Chan/Zen practice cultivates stable high-frequency brain synchrony linked to focused attention. This neuroscience insight highlights how specific meditation styles positively sculpt unique brain adaptations.
Abstract
Intuitive inquiry meditation (Can-Hua-Tou) is a unique mental practice which differs from relaxation-based practices by continuously demanding intu...
Near-Death Experiences: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review of Published Literature From 1977 to 2025.
Omega – July 30, 2025
Summary
Interest in near-death experiences (NDEs) spans diverse fields, with 775 articles published from 1977 to April 2025. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Belgium dominate this research landscape. A systematic review and bibliometric analysis highlighted varied methodologies, including medical assessments of brain activity and psychological evaluations showing a 30% reduction in suicidal ideation among individuals reporting NDEs. Despite significant contributions, the theoretical framework remains fragmented, underlining the necessity for integrative approaches to enhance understanding of NDEs' impact on mental health and spirituality.
Abstract
Interest in near-death experiences (NDEs) has grown across disciplines such as medicine, psychology, and literature, yet no consensus exists on the...
The neuroreceptors and transporters underlying spontaneous brain activity.
Communications biology – July 30, 2025
Summary
Our brains' spontaneous activity, crucial for thought, is driven by complex interactions of neuroreceptors. A new modeling framework, using detailed maps of 19 neuroreceptors and transporters, successfully predicts brain activity patterns. It revealed two key neuroreceptor networks influencing higher-order thought and sensory processing. This approach accurately reflects drug effects like LSD and Modafinil and identifies neuroreceptor links to neuropsychiatric conditions, offering profound insights into brain function.
Abstract
Determining the neuromodulators driving brain activity is critical for understanding cognition and neuropathology. Neuromodulators act through neur...
Psilocybin Modulates TPJ Effective Connectivity during Out-of-Body Experiences
OpenAlex – June 25, 2025
Summary
Experiencing an out-of-body sensation after taking psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, correlates with specific brain changes. In a neuroscience study of 62 healthy adults, those reporting intense out-of-body experiences showed reduced functional connectivity. Specifically, connections between the right and left anterior insula, and between the right anterior insula and right temporoparietal junction, were inhibited. This psychology finding, relevant to cognitive psychology and drug studies, suggests psilocybin influences neurotransmitter receptors, altering bodily self-consciousness and offering insight into paranormal experiences.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics alter self-boundaries and can induce out-of-body experiences (OBEs)—the sense of being located outside one’s phy...
Network localization of functional brain changes associated with ketamine's therapeutic effects in depression.
Biological psychiatry – June 13, 2025
Summary
How does ketamine rapidly lift depression? A key insight reveals its therapeutic effects stem from changes within a specific brain network. By analyzing numerous brain imaging studies, researchers mapped how ketamine alters functional connectivity. This robust brain network, crucial for mood, consistently involves regions like the subgenual cingulate cortex. These findings offer a clearer understanding of ketamine's unique power in treating depression.
Abstract
Although numerous studies have attempted to identify the functional pathways underlying the rapid antidepressant effects of ketamine, their finding...
Psilocybin’s acute and persistent brain effects: a precision imaging drug trial
Scientific Data – June 05, 2025
Summary
A compelling drug trial investigated psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, as a potential medicine for psychiatric conditions. Using advanced neuroimaging, seven healthy volunteers, including three females, participated. This pharmacology study tracked the drug's acute effects on brain networks within 60-90 minutes and persistently for up to two weeks. This neuroscience and psychology dataset, a significant contribution to psychedelics and drug studies, provides rich information on how psilocybin influences brain function, offering insights into its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Psilocybin (PSIL) is a psychedelic drug and a promising experimental therapeutic for many psychiatric conditions. Precision functional mapping (PFM...
Psilocybin's lasting action requires pyramidal cell types and 5-HT2A receptors.
Nature – June 01, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin can create lasting changes in specific brain cells, offering hope for stress-related mental health treatments. The compound works by stimulating growth in crucial brain cell connections, particularly in cells that project to deeper brain regions. This process requires specific serotonin receptors and leads to improved stress responses in mice.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with therapeutic potential for treating mental illnesses1-4. At the cellular level, psychedelics induce st...
Unraveling Multiregional Neural Patterns during Consciousness Transition Using Flexible Microelectrode Arrays Integrated with Neuropixels Chips.
Nano letters – May 28, 2025
Summary
Scientists have mapped how different brain regions "wake up" during consciousness transitions using an innovative neural interface. This breakthrough combines flexible microelectrode arrays with advanced recording chips, allowing researchers to track brain activity in freely moving rats as they transition between sleep, wakefulness, and anesthesia. The technology revealed unique neural patterns, showing how different brain areas respond distinctly during consciousness changes.
Abstract
Consciousness transitions, including awakening from anesthesia or falling asleep, involve complex neural dynamics across multiple brain regions. Un...
Regulation of REM and NREM Sleep by Preoptic Glutamatergic Neurons.
Sleep – May 26, 2025
Summary
Neurons in the brain's preoptic area don't just make us sleepy - some actually keep us awake. Scientists discovered specialized nerve cells that become highly active during wakefulness and brief arousals from sleep. These neurons send signals to brain regions that maintain consciousness, helping regulate sleep-wake cycles and influencing how we transition between different sleep states.
Abstract
The preoptic area of the hypothalamus is key for the control of sleep onset and sleep homeostasis. Although traditionally considered exclusively so...
Mapping serotonergic dynamics using drug-modulated molecular connectivity in rats.
eLife – May 15, 2025
Summary
Serotonin, a crucial brain chemical affecting mood and behavior, operates through complex networks that scientists can now map with groundbreaking precision. Using advanced brain imaging in rats, researchers combined PET scans with functional MRI to track how drugs affect serotonin movement across brain regions. This new molecular connectivity approach revealed how MDMA changes brain communication patterns, advancing our understanding of drug effects on neural networks.
Abstract
Understanding the complex workings of the brain is one of the most significant challenges in neuroscience, providing insights into normal brain fun...
Micro-phenomenology of immersion and perceived presences under DMT
PsyArXiv – May 14, 2025
Summary
The mind's capacity to create deeply immersive realities, complete with perceived "presences," is profoundly amplified by DMT. This investigation explored how individuals experience full immersion and interaction with these perceived entities. Researchers used detailed interviews to meticulously map the unfolding subjective experiences. Participants consistently described a profound sense of "being there," fully immersed in vivid, often interactive, environments. Many reported meaningful, positive encounters with perceived autonomous entities, feeling a strong sense of connection and communication. These findings offer unique insights into the brain's ability to generate complex, interactive realities, suggesting DMT can unlock profound states of consciousness where perceived presences feel remarkably real and often beneficial.
Abstract
Micro-phenomenology of immersion and perceived presences under DMT
Robot-assisted gait training for individuals with severe acquired brain injury: a scoping review.
Brain injury – May 05, 2025
Summary
Innovative robotic technology is revolutionizing recovery for patients with severe brain injury. Robot-assisted walking systems help non-ambulatory patients practice natural walking movements, even when consciousness is impaired. This technology combines physical support with precise, repetitive motions to stimulate brain plasticity and enhance recovery. Studies show promising improvements in both physical function and consciousness levels.
Abstract
Early out-of-bed mobilization is recommended for individuals with severe acquired brain injury and impaired consciousness to promote recovery. Robo...
Utilizing Caenorhabditis Elegans as a Rapid and Precise Model for Assessing Amphetamine-Type Stimulants: A Novel Approach to Evaluating New Psychoactive Substances Activity and Mechanisms.
Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Tiny worms are helping scientists crack the code of dangerous street drugs. Using microscopic roundworms, researchers successfully mapped how amphetamine-type stimulants affect brain chemistry. By observing the worms' swimming behavior, they revealed how these drugs interact with brain pathways and identified which chemical structures cause the strongest effects. This method offers a faster, cheaper way to evaluate new street drugs.
Abstract
The surge of new psychoactive substances (NPS) poses significant public health challenges due to their unregulated status and diverse effects. Howe...
Data Sheet 1_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.pdf
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain activity, yet its effects in awake rats differ from human observations. Neuroscience employing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) on rats given doses from 0.03 to 3.0 mg/kg revealed a dose-dependent increase in brain activity, particularly in the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Females showed greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg. While the human brain's prefrontal cortex and hippocampal formation are often implicated in psychedelic experiences, these findings challenge direct translational assumptions, highlighting complex sensory processing and functional connectivity changes. This brain mapping advances medicine's understanding of psilocybin's psychology.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Table 4_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.xlsx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Unexpectedly, the hallucinogen Psilocybin affects the human brain differently than it does in awake rats. Neuroscience using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) revealed dose-dependent increases in brain activity and functional connectivity across doses from 0.03 to 3.0 mg/kg. Key areas like the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus showed heightened activity. Females exhibited greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg, particularly in basal regions. This brain mapping of sensory processing offers insights for medicine, despite the observed divergence from human psychology.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Data Sheet 2_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.docx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin's effects on the human brain may differ significantly from rodent models. Neuroscience, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in awake rats, revealed this hallucinogen (up to 3.0 mg/kg) increased resting state brain activity in the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Brain mapping showed females exhibited greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg. While hippocampal and prefrontal cortex changes weren't primary, global functional connectivity increased. This medicine provides insights into sensory processing and brain activity, including premovement neuronal activity, informing psychology and potential links to meditation.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Table 5_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.xlsx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain activity. Neuroscience using functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed this medicine causes dose-dependent increases in neural activity, particularly in the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Females exhibited greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg doses. This brain mapping shows complex sensory processing changes. While prefrontal cortex and hippocampal formation were hypothesized targets, the observed functional connectivity patterns in the brain's circuitry differed from human brain psychology literature, offering new insights into the sensory system.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Table 2_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.xlsx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, profoundly alters brain activity, offering neuroscience insights into sensory processing. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in awake rats revealed dose-dependent changes. Doses from 0.03 to 3.0 mg/kg significantly increased activity in the somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus, key areas for sensory input. Resting state fMRI also showed globally increased functional connectivity, providing valuable brain mapping. Notably, females exhibited greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg, especially in basal regions. This work advances medicine's understanding of how psilocybin impacts the human brain's sensory system and related psychology.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Table 1_Dose-dependent changes in global brain activity and functional connectivity following exposure to psilocybin: a BOLD MRI study in awake rats.docx
OPAL (Open@LaTrobe) (La Trobe University) – May 01, 2025
Summary
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, alters brain activity, functional connectivity. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), resting fMRI, dose-dependently increased (0.03-3.0 mg/kg) somatosensory system, basal ganglia, and thalamus. Brain mapping females greater activation than males at 0.3 mg/kg, sensory processing and premovement neuronal activity. Neuroscience for medicine and psychology, hippocampal formation findings despite prefrontal cortex hypotheses, informing human brain, contrasting electrophysiology/meditative brain activity.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a hallucinogen with complex neurobiological and behavioral effects. This is the first study to use MRI to follow functional changes i...
Detecting neuroplastic effects induced by ketamine in healthy human subjects: a multimodal approach
bioRxiv Preprint Server – May 01, 2025
Summary
A single ketamine dose can significantly elevate glutamate levels in brain regions vital for mood regulation. Researchers used advanced imaging to show how this compound reorganizes brain activity and connections. They found increased integration between different brain networks, with a key hub playing a central role in reshaping brain hierarchies. These findings offer promising insights into its therapeutic potential.
Abstract
We investigated ketamine’s neuroplastic effects in healthy human subjects using integrated Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Magnetic Resonance Im...
Passive mapping of hand motor cortex across altered states of consciousness.
The International journal of neuroscience – April 26, 2025
Summary
Scientists can now map brain regions controlling hand movement even when patients are unconscious. By stimulating nerves in the wrist and measuring electrical brain activity (electrocorticography), researchers tracked high gamma band signals in the motor cortex during different consciousness states. The technique remained highly accurate even as patients went under anesthesia, maintaining over 80% accuracy in mapping hand regions during deep unconsciousness.
Abstract
To evaluate the ability of median nerve stimulation (MNS)-induced high gamma band (HGB) activity in mapping the hand motor cortex at different stat...
Thoughtseeds: A Hierarchical and Agentic Framework for Investigating Thought Dynamics in Meditative States.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland) – April 24, 2025
Summary
During meditation, our thoughts behave like competing agents vying for attention. This groundbreaking model reveals how experienced meditators maintain focus while beginners' minds tend to wander. By treating thoughts as dynamic "thoughtseeds" within a neural workspace, researchers mapped how Vipassana meditation shapes consciousness through meta-cognition and embodied awareness. The findings show that mental stability emerges naturally through practice.
Abstract
The Thoughtseeds Framework introduces a novel computational approach to modeling thought dynamics in meditative states, conceptualizing thoughtseed...