Psychedelics promote neuroplasticity through the activation of intracellular 5-HT2A receptors
Maxemiliano V. Vargas, Lee E. Dunlap, Chunyang Dong, Samuel J. Carter, Robert J. Tombari, Shekib A. Jami, Lindsay P. Cameron, Seona D. Patel, Joseph J. Hennessey, Hannah N. Saeger, John D. Mccorvy, John A. Gray, Lin Tian, David E. Olson
Science February 16, 2023 DOI: 10.1126/science.adf0435 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDecreased dendritic spine density in the cortex is a hallmark of several neuropsychiatric diseases, and the ability to promote cortical neuron growth has been hypothesized to underlie the rapid and sustained therapeutic effects of psychedelics. Activation of 5-HT2ARs is essential for psychedelic-induced cortical plasticity, but it is unclear why some 5-HT2AR agonists promote neuroplasticity while others do not. Using molecular and genetic tools, the authors demonstrate that intracellular 5-HT2ARs mediate the plasticity-promoting properties of psychedelics, explaining why serotonin does not engage similar plasticity mechanisms. This work emphasizes location bias in 5-HT2AR signaling, identifies intracellular 5-HT2ARs as a therapeutic target, and raises the possibility that serotonin might not be the endogenous ligand for intracellular 5-HT2ARs in the cortex.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | In vitro and in vivo (rodent) models |
| Citations | 467 |
| Key finding | Intracellular 5-HT2ARs, not cell-surface ones, mediate the plasticity-promoting effects of psychedelics, explaining why serotonin does not engage similar plasticity mechanisms. |
Abstract
Decreased dendritic spine density in the cortex is a hallmark of several neuropsychiatric diseases, and the ability to promote cortical neuron growth has been hypothesized to underlie the rapid and sustained therapeutic effects of psychedelics. Activation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) 2A receptors (5-HT2ARs) is essential for psychedelic-induced cortical plasticity, but it is currently unclear why some 5-HT2AR agonists promote neuroplasticity, whereas others do not. We used molecular and genetic tools to demonstrate that intracellular 5-HT2ARs mediate the plasticity-promoting properties of psychedelics; these results explain why serotonin does not engage similar plasticity mechanisms. This work emphasizes the role of location bias in 5-HT2AR signaling, identifies intracellular 5-HT2ARs as a therapeutic target, and raises the intriguing possibility that serotonin might not be the endogenous ligand for intracellular 5-HT2ARs in the cortex.