Regional Medical Center
4 papers in the library · 29 citations · publishing 2018-2026
Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening January 1, 2018 Tor-Morten Kvam, Lowan H. Stewart, Ole A. Andreassen 15 citations
Psychedelic substances show promise in treating several mental disorders, but existing studies are small and face methodological challenges. Systematic clinical trials are needed to obtain solid evidence of effectiveness and to establish routines for monitoring possible side effects.
Frontiers in Psychiatry October 26, 2022 Tor-Morten Kvam, Ivar W Goksøyr, Lowan H. Stewart et al. 11 citations
A proof-of-principle, open-label clinical trial will test MDMA-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder. Twelve participants with a DSM-5 diagnosis of MDD will receive a flexible dose of MDMA during two dosing sessions over four weeks, each followed by three integration sessions. The primary outcome is change in depression severity measured by the MADRS scale from baseline to eight weeks after the second session. Secondary outcomes include functional impairment and safety measures such as adverse events and suicidality. The trial aims to inform larger studies and optimize the treatment protocol.
Journal of Psychiatric Research November 27, 2025 Tor-Morten Kvam, Ivar W Goksøyr, Joanna Róg et al. 3 citations
In a small long-term follow-up of twelve people with major depressive disorder, MDMA-assisted therapy—two MDMA dosing sessions combined with nine psychotherapy sessions—led to sustained reductions in depression severity and disability seven months after baseline. Depression scores on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale and disability scores on the Sheehan Disability Scale remained significantly lower than before treatment, with no significant changes from the immediate post-treatment visit. Suicidal ideation did not exceed pre-study levels. The results suggest lasting treatment effects and safety, though the authors call for larger controlled trials to confirm these preliminary findings.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) April 12, 2026 Ibrahim A. Akkouh, Jordi Requena Osete, N. W. Steen et al.
Activating GABA-A receptors with muscimol, a non-classic psychedelic, suppresses inflammatory signaling and promotes neuroplasticity in human cortical spheroids and astrocytes derived from patients with schizophrenia. Inflammatory stimulation triggered interferon-responsive gene programs, with astrocytes acting as key mediators. Muscimol reduced proinflammatory cytokine secretion, attenuated interferon signaling, and upregulated neuroplasticity-related genes such as NTRK2 and ELK1. It also restored impaired glutamate uptake in schizophrenia-derived astrocytes. These effects depended on GABA-A receptor activation. Proteomic analyses of spheroids and human brain tissue confirmed baseline dysregulation of GABAergic and neurotrophin signaling in schizophrenia, supporting the therapeutic potential of targeting astrocyte GABAergic signaling to restore neural homeostasis.