Psychotomimetic effects of PCP, LSD, and Ecstasy: pharmacological models of schizophrenia?
Cambridge University Press eBooks February 4, 2010 Vibeke S. Catts, Stanley V. Catts 12 citations
Phencyclidine (PCP), ketamine, LSD, and MDMA have been called psychotomimetics for their ability to induce psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorder without delirium. PCP clearly can cause lasting psychotic disorder beyond acute intoxication, but LSD and MDMA lack clear evidence of inducing psychotic disorder or schizophrenia in people without preexisting vulnerability. PCP and ketamine act as noncompetitive antagonists of the NMDA glutamate receptor, while LSD is a serotonin 5HT2A receptor agonist and MDMA an indirect serotonin agonist. Animal models using PCP show construct validity for schizophrenia, and ketamine serves as a safe human model, though more translational research is needed.