Knowledge gaps in psychedelic medicalisation: Preclinical and neuroimaging mechanisms.
Drummond E-Wen Mcculloch, Juan Pablo Lopez, Christina Dalla, Eero Castrén, David Erritzøe, Vibe G Frokjaer, Johan Lundberg, Katrin H Preller, Patrick MacDonald Fisher, Gitte Moos Knudsen
Neuroscience applied January 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.nsa.2023.103929 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractClassical psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and LSD stimulate the serotonin 2A receptor and are being investigated for clinical effects in brain disorders. Experts at the ECNP 'New Frontiers meeting' in March 2023 identified key knowledge gaps in psychedelic mechanisms, including the need for appropriate behavioral models, dose optimization, molecular mechanisms, sex differences, and effects on neurotransmitter release and brain activity. The meeting highlighted the importance of preclinical and neuroimaging research to address these gaps.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Hallucinogen investigation Psychoactive drug research Entheogen research Psychedelic compounds Psychedelic therapy research |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key finding | Key knowledge gaps in psychedelic research include behavioral models, dose optimization, molecular mechanisms, sex differences, and effects on neurotransmitter release and brain activity. |
Abstract
Classical psychedelic drugs, e.g., psilocybin and LSD, stimulate the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) and have recently been intensely investigated for their clinical effects in various brain disorders. At the ECNP "New Frontiers meeting" in March 2023, scientific experts in psychedelics met to identify key knowledge gaps in the mechanism of action of psychedelics as investigated using preclinical models and clinical neuroimaging. Key themes included the development of appropriate behavioural models for measuring acute and persisting effects, dose optimisation, molecular mechanisms of action, sex differences, and the acute and persisting effects of psychedelics on neurotransmitter release and functional brain activity.