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Axel Rominger

4 papers in the library · 1 citation · publishing 2025-2026

Papers

Global Increases in Brain Glucose Metabolism Following Acute N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and Harmine Administration in Healthy Volunteers: An [¹⁸F]FDG-PET Study

Research Square July 27, 2025 Klemens Egger, Robert Bozsak, Helena Aicher et al. 1 citation

In healthy volunteers, acute administration of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) combined with harmine produces global increases in brain glucose metabolism, as measured by [¹⁸F]FDG-PET. This suggests that the compound combination broadly energizes brain activity rather than acting on isolated regions. The findings indicate a neurobiological basis for the altered states of consciousness and mood enhancement reported with these psychoactive compounds, supporting further investigation into their therapeutic potential.

DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7099164/v1 N-dimethyltryptamine Psychoactive compounds n Harmine Brain activity +6

Global increases in brain glucose metabolism following acute N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine administration in healthy volunteers: A randomised [18F]FDG-PET study.

Journal of cerebral blood flow and metabolism : official journal of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism June 1, 2026 Klemens Egger, Robert Bozsak, Helena D Aicher et al.

A psychedelic dose of DMT combined with harmine (mimicking ayahuasca) globally increased cerebral glucose metabolism by 12.5% in 14 healthy males, as measured by FDG-PET scans during peak drug effects. Widespread cortical increases appeared in higher-order brain networks. Global glucose metabolism correlated positively with harmine plasma levels but not with DMT levels or subjective intensity. This recapitulates a classic finding for psilocybin, suggesting a potential metabolic signature of the psychedelic state.

DOI: 10.1177/0271678x261454172 Full text DMT Fdg-PET Glucose metabolism Harmine +2

Global increases in brain glucose metabolism following acute N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine administration in healthy volunteers: A randomised [ 18 F]FDG-PET study

Universität Zürich, ZORA June 1, 2026 Klemens Egger, Robert Bozsak, Helena D Aicher et al.

A psychedelic dose of DMT combined with the MAO-A inhibitor harmine, mimicking ayahuasca, globally increased cerebral glucose metabolism by 12.5% compared to placebo in 14 healthy males. Scans acquired during peak drug effects using FDG-PET showed widespread cortical increases, particularly in higher-order brain networks. Higher harmine plasma levels correlated with greater global glucose metabolism, while DMT levels and subjective intensity did not. This metabolic signature recapitulates a classic finding for psilocybin, suggesting a potential hallmark of the psychedelic state.

DOI: 10.5167/uzh-434709 Harmine Placebo Neuroimaging Metabolite +12

Global increases in brain glucose metabolism following acute N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine administration in healthy volunteers: A randomised [¹⁸F]FDG-PET study

Repository for Publications and Research Data (ETH Zurich) January 1, 2026 Klemens Egger, Robert Bozsak, Helena D. Aicher et al.

A psychedelic dose of DMT combined with harmine, mimicking ayahuasca, globally increased cerebral glucose metabolism by 12.5% in 14 healthy males, as measured by PET scans during peak drug effects. This increase was widespread across the cortex, particularly in higher-order brain networks, and positively correlated with harmine plasma levels but not with DMT levels or subjective intensity. The finding recapitulates a classic effect seen with psilocybin, suggesting a potential metabolic signature of the psychedelic state.

DOI: 10.3929/ethz-c-000801722 Harmine Placebo Neuroimaging Metabolite +12