Psilocybin promotes neuroplasticity and induces rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects in mice
Journal of Psychopharmacology April 28, 2024 Xiangting Zhao, Yingjie Du, Yishan Yao et al. 53 citations
A single dose of psilocybin produces rapid and sustained antidepressant-like effects in both healthy mice and mice exposed to chronic corticosterone, a model of stress. Psilocybin reversed stress-induced reductions in neuroplasticity within the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, increasing dendritic branching, spine density, and levels of synaptic proteins (p-GluA1, PSD95, synapsin-1) and activating the BDNF-mTOR signaling pathway. It also promoted neurogenesis, as indicated by more DCX-positive cells. These findings suggest that psilocybin's antidepressant action is linked to its ability to enhance structural and molecular neuroplasticity.