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Andrew J. Lees

University College London

3 papers in the library · 108 citations · publishing 1979-2020

Papers

BACKWARD WALKING AND CIRCLING: BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSES INDUCED BY DRUG TREATMENTS WHICH CAUSE SIMULTANEOUS RELEASE OF CATECHOLAMINES AND 5‐HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE

British Journal of Pharmacology August 1, 1979 G. Curzon, J.c.r. Fernando, Andrew J. Lees 66 citations

Backward walking and circling in rats require simultaneous release of both dopamine and serotonin. A high dose of amphetamine (which releases dopamine) or drugs that release serotonin (p-chloroamphetamine or fenfluramine) each produced these behaviors. Combining smaller doses of amphetamine with either serotonin-releasing drug also triggered backward walking and circling. However, typical dopamine-driven behaviors (rearing, licking, gnawing) from amphetamine were greatly reduced by the serotonin drugs, while typical serotonin-driven behaviors (wet dog shake, hind limb abduction) were unaffected by amphetamine. Fragmentary backward walking and circling from levallorphan were reduced by low-dose amphetamine. The findings strengthen evidence that these movements depend on both dopamine and serotonin release, with possible relevance to hallucinogenic activity, amphetamine psychosis, schizophrenia, and abnormal movements from L-DOPA treatment.

DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1979.tb13696.x Serotonin Fenfluramine Licking Dextroamphetamine +10

Psychedelic treatment of functional neurological disorder: a systematic review

Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology January 1, 2020 Matthew Butler, Mathieu Seynaeve, Timothy R. Nicholson et al. 38 citations

Functional neurological disorder (FND), previously called conversion disorder, is common in neurology clinics and causes substantial disability, but treatment options are limited. Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD may help by altering brain circuits involved in self-representation, which is thought to be disrupted in FND. A systematic review of nine studies from 1954 to 1967, involving 26 patients, found that most received psychotherapy with variable adjunctive psychedelic use (psycholytic therapy). Of those treated, 69% (18 patients) showed at least some recovery on subjective clinician-rated criteria. Adverse events were mostly mild, though one patient withdrew due to distressing effects. All studies were low quality, lacking controls and valid outcome measures, so no conclusions on efficacy can be drawn.

DOI: 10.1177/2045125320912125 Psilocybin Lysergic acid diethylamide Conversion disorder Psychiatry +7