Ibogaine induces juvenile-like plasticity and modulates functional and structural regulators of plasticity in the adult mouse visual cortex
Research Square December 18, 2025 Alejo Acuña, Federico Billeri, Valentino Totaro et al.
A single dose of ibogaine, an atypical psychedelic, reinstated juvenile-like experience-dependent plasticity in the adult mouse visual cortex. Adult mice given ibogaine and then subjected to four days of monocular deprivation showed reduced visual acuity in the deprived eye and decreased dendritic spine density in the binocular visual cortex, effects not seen in vehicle-treated mice. Ibogaine alone did not alter these measures. The plasticity enhancement was accompanied by reductions in perineuronal nets, parvalbumin-positive interneurons, and inhibitory synaptic puncta density, suggesting ibogaine removes structural and inhibitory brakes on plasticity. These findings indicate ibogaine's therapeutic actions may stem from reopening windows of heightened cortical adaptability.