Ibogaine Modifies GDNF, BDNF and NGF Expression in Brain Regions Involved in Mesocorticolimbic and Nigral Dopaminergic Circuits
ChemRxiv October 29, 2018 Soledad Marton, Bruno González, Sebastián Rodríguez et al.
Ibogaine, a psychedelic alkaloid, alters the expression of three neurotrophic factors—GDNF, BDNF, and NGF—in rat brain regions containing dopamine neurons. A single injection of 20 or 40 mg/kg ibogaine increased expression of these factors after 24 hours in a dose- and region-specific manner. The higher dose selectively raised GDNF in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra. Both doses increased BDNF in the nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra, and prefrontal cortex, while the higher dose also raised BDNF in the ventral tegmental area. NGF increased in all regions after the higher dose. Mature GDNF protein rose in the ventral tegmental area, and proBDNF increased in the nucleus accumbens. These changes may contribute to ibogaine's anti-addictive properties.