The Potential Use of Dimethyltryptamine against Ischemia-reperfusion Injury of the Brain
Journal of Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders April 19, 2024 Attila Kovacs, Anna Mathe, Ede Frecska 2 citations
Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) arises from disrupted blood flow and subsequent restoration, causing damage in emergency medicine. Mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction are key factors. The sigma-1 receptor (Sig1-R), a chaperone between these organelles, regulates signaling and protects against cellular stress. Activating Sig1-R improves mitochondrial respiration and endoplasmic reticulum function. N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an endogenous Sig1-R agonist, may have therapeutic potential. This article reviews Sig1-R's role in cellular bioenergetics and IRI, summarizing in vitro and in vivo DMT studies. The authors conclude DMT may universally protect cells, suggesting therapies for IRI in brain ischemia after stroke or cardiac arrest.