N,N-dimethyltryptamine reduces infarct size and improves functional recovery following transient focal brain ischemia in rats
Experimental Neurology February 14, 2020 Sándor Nardai, Marcell László, Attila Szabo et al. 91 citations
A single intraperitoneal dose of DMT (1 mg/kg) followed by a 24-hour infusion (2 mg/kg/h) reduced ischemic brain lesion volume and improved functional recovery in male Wistar rats after 60 minutes of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. The neuroprotective effect was blocked by a Sigma-1 receptor antagonist, indicating a Sigma-1 receptor-dependent mechanism. DMT treatment lowered expression of the pro-apoptotic protein APAF1, increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and shifted the inflammatory cytokine profile toward an anti-inflammatory state (decreased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6; increased IL-10). The findings suggest DMT protects against ischemic injury through combined anti-apoptotic, pro-neurotrophic, and anti-inflammatory actions.