Animal Models of Serotonergic Psychedelics
ACS Chemical Neuroscience September 24, 2012 James B. Hanks, Javier González‐maeso 152 citations
The serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptor is the primary target of psychedelic drugs like LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin. These substances produce profound changes in cognition, emotion, and sensory processing that seem uniquely human, raising questions about the validity of animal models. However, recent research indicates that behavioral abnormalities induced by psychedelics in rodents can predict effects in humans. This review examines the behavioral effects of psychedelic drugs in rodent models, evaluates the translational potential of these findings, and identifies areas needing further research to clarify the molecular mechanisms and neural circuits underlying their neuropsychological effects.