The Effects of Psilocybin in Adults with Major Depressive Disorder and the General Population: Findings from Neuroimaging Studies
Psychiatry Research April 25, 2022 Hartej Gill, Parnian Puramat, Pankti Patel et al. 16 citations
Psilocybin shows promise as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), potentially offering an alternative to conventional therapies. A systematic review of neuroimaging studies found that psilocybin administration decreased amygdala activity and reduced depressive symptoms in two studies involving MDD participants. In healthy populations, changes in functional connectivity and activation of prefrontal limbic structures, particularly the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and amygdala, were observed. However, high methodological heterogeneity across the thirteen included studies—ten in healthy populations and three in MDD participants—limits conclusions. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify psilocybin's long-term effects and sustained therapeutic potential for MDD.