Psilocin fosters neuroplasticity in iPSC-derived human cortical neurons
Research Square June 7, 2024 Målin Schmidt, Anne Hoffrichter, Mahnaz Davoudi et al. 5 citations
Psilocin, the psychoactive metabolite of psilocybin, triggers a cascade of neuroplastic changes in human cortical neurons derived from stem cells. It reduces cell-surface 5-HT2A receptors, increases BDNF abundance, alters gene expression toward plasticity, enhances neuronal complexity and synaptic protein levels, and boosts excitability and network activity. These findings suggest psilocin induces a state of enhanced neuronal plasticity that may underlie its therapeutic effects in neuropsychiatric disorders involving synaptic dysfunction.