Lysergic acid diethylamide differentially modulates the reticular thalamus, mediodorsal thalamus, and infralimbic prefrontal cortex: An in vivo electrophysiology study in male mice
Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2021 A. Inserra, D. de Gregorio, Tamim Rezai et al. 42 citations
LSD alters the firing patterns of neurons in the reticular thalamus, which controls information flow to the cortex. In anesthetized mice, low doses of LSD decreased activity in half of these neurons, while higher doses increased activity in the other half. This was accompanied by increased firing in the mediodorsal thalamus, a relay station to the cortex. LSD only excited neurons in the prefrontal cortex at the highest dose. A dopamine D2 receptor blocker reversed some effects, suggesting LSD acts partly through this receptor. These changes in thalamocortical gating may explain how LSD alters consciousness in humans.