564. TOWARD AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE THERAPEUTICALLY RELEVANT MECHANISMS OF PSILOCYBIN FOR ANOREXIA NERVOSA
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology August 1, 2025 C Foldi
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in “magic” mushrooms, improves cognitive flexibility and body weight outcomes in an animal model of anorexia nervosa called activity-based anorexia. The compound's effects on learning are mediated by specific serotonin receptor subtypes, whose transcription is transiently altered in the prefrontal cortex within 24 hours after administration. Computational modeling reveals that enhanced cognitive flexibility is underpinned by altered dopamine signaling in the ventral striatum. These findings are translationally relevant for clinical use of psilocybin in anorexia nervosa, as individuals with the condition show both impaired cognitive flexibility and diminished reward processing.