Developmental changes in brain structure and function following exposure to oral LSD during adolescence.
Scientific reports August 11, 2024 Lila Harris-Blum, Zachary Smith, Richard J Ortiz et al. 9 citations
Exposure to LSD during periadolescence in mice altered gray matter microarchitecture across much of the brain, particularly in the thalamus, sensory and motor cortices, and basal ganglia, while the forebrain olfactory system, prefrontal cortex, and hindbrain were unaffected. Multiple doses reduced functional connectivity between forebrain white matter tracts and sensorimotor cortices and hippocampus. However, no differences in brain volume, cognitive performance, or motor behavior were observed when the animals were tested as young adults. The pronounced changes in diffusion-weighted imaging values across 74 brain areas suggest altered neuroplasticity, but the behavioral consequences of the connectivity changes remain unknown.