Psychedelics and schizophrenia.

Research on psychedelics like LSD and dissociative drugs such as PCP has converged with studies of schizophrenia, as their effects mimic core symptoms of the disorder. Some atypical antipsychotics were identified by their high affinity for serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors, the same target as LSD-like drugs. Effects of PCP-like drugs are strongly influenced by modulation of both 5-HT(2A) and metabotropic glutamate 2/3 receptors. A serotonin-glutamate receptor complex in cortical pyramidal neurons may be the target of both psychedelics and certain antipsychotics. Recent findings on receptor, signaling, and circuit mechanisms could unify the serotonin and glutamate neurochemical hypotheses of schizophrenia.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Research on psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and dissociative drugs such as phencyclidine (PCP) and the symptoms, neurochemical abnormalities and treatment of schizophrenia have converged. The effects of hallucinogenic drugs resemble some of the core symptoms of schizophrenia. Some atypical antipsychotic drugs were identified by their high affinity for serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors, which is also the target of LSD-like drugs. Several effects of PCP-like drugs are strongly affected by both 5-HT(2A) and metabotropic glutamate 2/3 receptor modulation. A serotonin-glutamate receptor complex in cortical pyramidal neurons has been identified that might be the target both of psychedelics and the atypical and glutamate classes of antipsychotic drugs. Recent results on the receptor, signalling and circuit mechanisms underlying the response to psychedelic and antipsychotic drugs might lead to unification of the serotonin and glutamate neurochemical hypotheses of schizophrenia.