The renaissance in psychedelic research: What do preclinical models have to offer.
Progress in Brain Research January 1, 2018 K. Murnane
Human research with psychedelics is producing groundbreaking discoveries, modifying enduring personality traits and reducing anxiety, depression, and substance dependence in small but well-designed clinical studies. Psychedelics are advancing through pharmaceutical regulatory systems, and neuroimaging has related their effects to select brain networks. However, preclinical studies have lagged behind this renaissance. Preclinical research offers tight control of experimental parameters, subjects with documented drug histories, and the ability to elucidate signaling cascades and conduct invasive mechanistic studies. Safety pharmacology, biomarkers, and pharmacokinetics can be assessed in disease models to advance psychedelics toward clinical practice. This chapter argues that new preclinical studies would benefit the field.