Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) Modulates Circadian Activity Behavior And The Expression Level of Circadian Genes in Drosophila melanogaster in Both Sexes
The FASEB Journal April 1, 2016 Kelly Jean Sherman, Charles D. Nichols
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), a mixed serotonin receptor agonist, alters circadian activity in Drosophila melanogaster in a dose-dependent manner, with a more robust effect in females. Five concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 3.0, and 10.0 mM) were administered for seven days in a light/dark environment, and activity was monitored using the Drosophila Activity Monitor. LSD disrupted endogenous circadian rhythms in free run (dark/dark) conditions at doses of 1.0 and 3.0 mM in both sexes. Changes in RNA levels of circadian and P450 genes in fly heads were measured. The findings suggest LSD affects circadian activity potentially through modulating expression of circadian genes downstream of serotonin receptor activation.