Visualizing drug actions on dendrites: psilocybin and other classic psychedelics
Ling-Xiao Shao, Clara Liao, Ian Gregg, Pasha A. Davoudian, Neil K. Savalia, Kristina Delagarza, Alex C. Kwan
January 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1364/brain.2023.btu2b.2 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsychedelics like psilocybin can alter neuronal structure in the frontal cortex. Using two-photon microscopy in mice, psilocybin administration led to changes in dendritic spines, the tiny protrusions on neurons that receive signals from other neurons. The effects were compared with those of other psychoactive drugs, suggesting that psychedelics may have unique impacts on brain cell architecture. These findings indicate a potential mechanism for how psychedelics could influence brain function and behavior.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study |
|---|---|
| Population | Mice |
| Interventions | Psilocybin other psychoactive drugs |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Neuroscience Cortex anatomy Frontal cortex |
| Key finding | Psilocybin administration alters dendritic spines in the mouse frontal cortex, with effects distinct from other psychoactive drugs. |
Abstract
To determine effects of psychedelics on neuronal architecture, we used two-photon microscopy to image dendritic spines in mouse frontal cortex after administering psilocybin (Neuron, 109, 2535, 2021) and compared with other psychoactive drugs.