Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
September 30, 2021
Fiona Harding, Mathieu Seynaeve, Johanna Keeler et al.
18 citations
About 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder, but current treatments have limited effectiveness, prompting interest in new approaches. A web survey of 200 people with eating disorders found that 70% had used complementary therapies to manage their condition. Participants viewed psychedelic research as worthwhile but expressed moderate concern. To address these concerns, they suggested education about psychedelics and their psychiatric use, endorsement from professionals, and a safe, monitored environment with strong patient-therapist rapport. These findings inform future trials of psychedelics for eating disorders.
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
August 16, 2022
Ezio Carboni, Anna R. Carta
15 citations
Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and current treatments mostly target monoamine reuptake. The recent approval of esketamine as a rapid-acting antidepressant highlights glutamatergic transmission's role. This review examines the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), lateral habenula (LHb), amygdala, and bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) in animal models of depression. Chronic stress alters brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and dendritic density in these areas. Ketamine and standard antidepressants can reverse these changes. The authors propose that the mPFC, NAc/ventral tegmental area (VTA), and hippocampus form a primary circuit where normal function supports resilience. Disruption by environmental challenges or activation of the amygdala, LHb, or BNST can spread detrimental effects and generate depression symptoms, including anhedonia.
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
August 31, 2022
Noémi Császár-nagy, Petr Bob, István Bókkon
9 citations
A complex hypothesis proposes that serotonergic psychedelics act on gut microbes, prompting host enterochromaffin cells to temporarily increase production of 5-HT (serotonin). This 5-HT is taken up and distributed by platelets, potentially acting as a hormone-like signal that influences membrane permeability in organs and the brain. Elevated plasma 5-HT may transiently increase blood-brain barrier permeability, allowing 5-HT to enter the central nervous system via volume transmission. There, gut-derived 5-HT could modulate excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, causing network disintegration. This transient neural disruption may allow patients access to suppressed fear information and enable an emotional reset, with the amygdala playing a key role.
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience
July 25, 2025
Christopher Zaki
1 citation
Ketamine shows significant efficacy for managing chronic pain conditions such as neuropathic pain, fibromyalgia, and complex regional pain syndrome, especially in treatment-resistant cases. Up to 50% of chronic pain patients experience depression or anxiety. Ketamine's NMDA receptor antagonism underlies both its analgesic effects and rapid antidepressant responses in treatment-resistant depression and acute suicidal ideation, as evidenced by its FDA-approved formulation Spravato (esketamine). Emerging evidence supports potential use in anxiety disorders, OCD, PTSD, and some substance use disorders. Psychomimetic effects and safety concerns require careful clinical oversight.