Translational psychiatry

Psychedelic drugs activate specific brain cells in the thinking and decision area through a serotonin receptor

Updated

Abstract

Psilocin significantly increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), where 5-HT receptors are abundant.

  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed substantial increases in mPFC activity following psilocin administration.
  • A specific population of 5-HT receptor neurons was identified in the prelimbic/anterior cingulate area of the mPFC.
  • Both psilocin and a selective 5-HT receptor compound heightened excitability and firing rates in these neurons.
  • Effects on neuronal activity were found to depend on both 5-HT receptors and Gα signaling pathways.
  • A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic compound exhibited similar excitatory effects on the identified neurons.

Simplified

Key numbers

>120%
Increase in neuronal firing
Observed in most neurons after psilocin application.
3.13
fMRI signal increase in ACC
Statistical significance at p < 0.005.
2.43
fMRI signal increase in PrL
Statistical significance at p < 0.005.

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