Human Brain Mapping
October 14, 2016
Samantha Cunningham, Dardo Tomasi, Nora D. Volkow
221 citations
The precuneus and thalamus show strong structural and functional connections to each other and to the default mode network (DMN). Using diffusion tensor imaging and resting-state functional connectivity in 37 healthy adults, structural connectivity was greatest between the precuneus and thalamus, and connection fractional anisotropy increased with age. The precuneus also connected structurally to the hippocampus and middle prefrontal cortex but minimally to the angular gyrus and midcingulate cortex. Functionally, the precuneus connected most strongly with the angular gyrus.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
February 28, 2025
Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, Emil Deleuran Poulsen, Marie Katrine Klose Nielsen et al.
15 citations
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, safely reduced alcohol consumption in ten adults with severe alcohol use disorder. Over 12 weeks, heavy drinking days fell by 37.5 percentage points and drinks per day dropped by 3.4. Participants also reported rapid and lasting decreases in craving and increases in self-efficacy. Peak blood levels of the drug varied widely among individuals, from 14 to 59 µg/L. The open-label, single-group design lacked a placebo control, so larger randomized trials are needed to confirm the findings.
Research Square
August 23, 2024
Mathias E. Jensen, Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, Catharina Messell et al.
1 citation
A single 25 mg dose of psilocybin, given with preparation and integration sessions, reduced alcohol consumption in ten adults with severe alcohol use disorder. Heavy drinking days dropped by 37.5 percentage points over 12 weeks, and drinks per day decreased by 3.4 units. Participants also reported rapid and lasting reductions in craving and increased self-efficacy. Blood levels of the active metabolite psilocin varied widely between individuals, peaking from 14 to 59 µg per liter. The open-label study, which lacked a placebo group, suggests that even a single psilocybin session may be safe and effective, but larger randomized controlled trials are needed.
Neuropsychopharmacology
January 1, 2024
Joshua A. Gordon, Nora D. Volkow, George F. Koob
Most treatments for psychiatric and substance use disorders require weeks to become effective, but some, like intravenous ketamine, can relieve symptoms within minutes to hours. Current research aims to discover new rapid-acting psychotherapeutics, including novel drug classes and innovative brain stimulation therapies, which are being studied in clinical and pre-clinical settings. Further investigation into the neurobiological mechanisms, effective therapeutic contexts, and implementation strategies is needed to fully realize the potential of these treatments.