Psilocybin decreases neural responsiveness and increases functional connectivity while preserving pure-tone frequency selectivity in mouse auditory cortex
Adam T Brockett, Nikolas A Francis
Journal of Neurophysiology May 29, 2024 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00124.2024 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsilocybin alters how the auditory cortex balances internally generated neural activity against incoming sound-driven signals, based on two-photon imaging of awake mice. This modulation may help explain why musical experience during psilocybin-assisted therapy predicts treatment outcomes for neuropsychiatric conditions.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Awake mice |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Psychedelics hallucinogens Hearing Auditory cortex Behavior |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key finding | Psilocybin modulates the relative roles of intrinsic neural activity and stimulus-driven influences on auditory processing in the auditory cortex. |
Abstract
Recent studies have shown promising therapeutic potential for psychedelics in treating neuropsychiatric conditions. Musical experience during psilocybin-assisted therapy is predictive of treatment outcome, yet little is known about how psilocybin affects auditory processing. Here, we conducted two-photon imaging experiments in auditory cortex of awake mice that received a dose of psilocybin. Our results suggest that psilocybin modulates the roles of intrinsic neural activity versus stimulus-driven influences on auditory perception.