ISSN 1526-632X
16 papers in the library · 1,771 citations · publishing 1955-2026
Neurology December 1, 1998 Karen I. Bolla, Una D. Mccann, George A. Ricaurte 376 citations
People who have stopped using MDMA show deficits in both verbal and visual memory. The severity of these memory problems is linked to how much MDMA they used in the past and to lower levels of serotonin activity in the brain, measured by a serotonin metabolite in spinal fluid.
Neurology January 13, 2011 Jeffrey R. Petrella, Forrest Sheldon, Steven E. Prince et al. 291 citations
Default mode network (DMN) connectivity, measured by fMRI during a face-name memory task, distinguishes people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who later develop Alzheimer disease (AD) from those who remain stable over 2 to 3 years. In a cohort of 68 subjects (25 normal controls, 31 MCI, 12 AD), DMN connectivity goodness-of-fit indices were highest in controls, intermediate in MCI, and lowest in AD. Among MCI subjects, baseline connectivity correlated with later decline in functional status, but added no predictive value beyond baseline delayed recall scores. The findings suggest different functional brain connectivity patterns for early versus late MCI.
Neurology September 1, 1968 274 citations
No Summary
Neurology June 26, 2006 R. Andrew Sewell, John H. Halpern, Harrison G. Pope 259 citations
In interviews with 53 cluster headache patients who used psilocybin or LSD, most reported benefits: 22 of 26 psilocybin users said it aborted attacks, 25 of 48 psilocybin users and 7 of 8 LSD users reported ending a cluster period, and 18 of 19 psilocybin users and 4 of 5 LSD users said it extended remission periods. The authors suggest further research on these substances for cluster headache is warranted.
Neurology April 10, 2001 Konstantine K. Zakzanis, Donald A. Young 122 citations
Over one year, fifteen people who continued using MDMA showed a progressive decline in immediate and delayed recall on memory tests, even after being abstinent for two weeks at both the initial and follow-up assessments. The findings suggest that ongoing MDMA use is linked to worsening memory function.
Neurology April 10, 2006 120 citations
People who have had a near-death experience (NDE) are more likely to have previously experienced REM sleep intrusion—such as sleep paralysis or sleep-related hallucinations—than those who have not. This supports the hypothesis that REM intrusion, which can occur during wakefulness, contributes to the subjective aspects of NDEs. In a study of 55 individuals with NDEs and matched controls, sleep paralysis and visual or auditory hallucinations during sleep were substantially more common in the NDE group. The findings suggest that under life-threatening circumstances, an NDE is more likely in those predisposed to REM intrusion, possibly involving suppression of the locus ceruleus.
Neurology July 25, 2000 Stephen J. Kish, Yoshiaki Furukawa, Lee-Cyn Ang et al. 119 citations
In the brain of a chronic MDMA user, serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were depleted by 50 to 80% in the striatum, while dopamine levels remained normal. This suggests that MDMA exposure can reduce serotonin stores in the human brain, and some behavioral effects of the drug may result from massive release and depletion of serotonin.
Neurology March 5, 2007 Kevin R. Nelson, Michelle Mattingly, Frederick A. Schmitt 60 citations
Among 55 people who had a near-death experience (NDE), those who also reported an out-of-body experience (OBE) during the NDE showed more signs of REM sleep intrusion—such as sleep paralysis or hallucinations—during the transition between wakefulness and sleep, compared to matched controls. The findings suggest that OBE in the context of NDE may be linked to a predisposition of the arousal system to allow REM-related phenomena to intrude into waking or sleep-transition states. This connection is supported by similar OBE reports in narcolepsy, a disorder of state boundary control, where OBE diminishes with treatment.
Neurology March 13, 2006 Konstantine K. Zakzanis, Zachariah Campbell 54 citations
Continued use of MDMA (ecstasy) is associated with further declines in memory ability over a two-year period. Among fifteen participants tested repeatedly, those who continued using MDMA showed worsening memory performance, while those who stopped using MDMA either improved on several memory measures or maintained their previous performance. This suggests that the cognitive impairments linked to MDMA's neurotoxic effects may be partially reversible upon cessation of use.
Neurology April 6, 2015 Thananan Thammongkolchai, Pichet Termsarasab, Ayham Alkhachroum et al. 43 citations
A 29-year-old man with a history of heroin and marijuana abuse developed intermittent myoclonus affecting his limbs, trunk, neck, and jaw in a cyclic pattern about every 10 minutes, along with unresponsiveness, after using the hallucinogen 5-MeO-DALT. His symptoms improved gradually over a week, and a dose of lorazepam temporarily stopped the myoclonus and partially restored consciousness. Standard urine toxicology did not detect the substance, and brain imaging and EEG were normal. This is the first reported case linking 5-MeO-DALT abuse to myoclonus, suggesting that clinicians should consider this drug in patients with unexplained cyclic myoclonus and negative toxicology screens.
Neurology May 1, 1955 Howard D. Fabing 41 citations
A combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine (AVP-923) reduces pseudobulbar affect—uncontrollable episodes of laughing or crying—in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In a 28-day trial, patients taking the combination showed a 3.3-point greater improvement on a lability scale compared with dextromethorphan alone and a 3.7-point greater improvement compared with quinidine alone. They also had fewer episodes overall and better quality-of-life and relationship scores. Adverse effects were mostly mild or moderate; 24% of those on the combination discontinued treatment due to side effects, versus 6% and 8% for the individual components.
Neurology February 25, 2025 David Fischer, Brian L Edlow, Holly J Freeman et al. 9 citations
Some patients with severe brain injury who appear unresponsive can still show covert consciousness by intentionally modulating their brain activity in response to commands, as detected by fMRI or EEG. However, current methods for detecting this covert consciousness have important limitations: they are not sensitive enough, rely on assumptions about brain function that may be incorrect, and fail to capture the full range of conscious experience. Neural decoding, a technique that reconstructs stimuli and concepts from brain activity, offers a promising new approach that could overcome these shortcomings. This article reviews the current state of covert consciousness assessments, their limitations, the science of neural decoding, and how it might be applied to disorders of consciousness, suggesting that neural decoding could improve sensitivity and better address what patients can actually experience.
Neurology April 7, 2025 Emmanuelle A. D. Schindler, Christopher Gottschalk, Deepak Cyril D’souza 2 citations
In clinical trials of psilocybin for migraine and cluster headache, the strength of acute psychedelic effects did not predict reductions in headache frequency. Improvements in mental health measures were also not consistently linked to headache relief. The findings suggest that the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin on headache disorders may operate through mechanisms separate from its psychedelic or mood-altering properties.
Neurology April 9, 2024 Tina Singh, Dipa Patel, Kasey Bishop et al. 1 citation
This research explores how psilocybin may aid recovery from substance use disorders by examining its underlying mechanisms. The work investigates the potential therapeutic effects of psilocybin in treating addiction, focusing on how the compound interacts with brain processes to support rehabilitation. The findings suggest that psilocybin could play a role in reducing substance dependence, though the exact pathways require further investigation. The study contributes to understanding psychedelic-assisted therapy for SUD.
Neurology June 9, 2026 Emmanuelle Schindler, Kevin Lenaburg, Robert Wold
A survey of adults with cluster headache found that many use N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) to treat their condition, with some reporting benefits. The text does not provide specific numbers or effect sizes.
Neurology September 1, 1962 W. R. Adey, Frederick R. Bell, Barbara J. Dennis
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring hallucinogen, significantly enhances emotional well-being, with 71% of participants in a study reporting improved mood after treatment. Involving 100 adults, the research utilized electroencephalography to measure brain activity changes associated with tryptamines like psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide. Notably, alterations in neurotransmitter receptor activity were linked to behavioral shifts. Participants also experienced heightened creativity and introspection, showcasing the potential of psychedelics in cognitive psychology and neuroendocrine regulation. These findings contribute to the growing interest in the therapeutic applications of hallucinogens.