Psychedelics action and schizophrenia

Author: mycolabadmin
10/30/2023
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Summary

This review examines how psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and LSD affect the brain, particularly through serotonin receptors. While these compounds can produce psychosis-like symptoms similar to schizophrenia, they also promote brain plasticity and growth of neural connections. The article discusses whether psychedelics could potentially treat negative symptoms and cognitive problems in schizophrenia patients, despite their mind-altering properties, possibly through lower doses or non-hallucinogenic alternatives.

Background

Psychedelics are compounds acting through serotonin 5-HT2A receptor activation and show positive effects on neuropsychiatric disorders like depression and PTSD. However, some psychedelic actions produce symptoms similar to schizophrenia including psychosis, sensorimotor gating impairments, and cognitive deficits. The neurobiological mechanisms of psychedelics and schizophrenia share similarities in serotonergic and glutamatergic systems.

Objective

This review examines the relationship between psychedelics and schizophrenia, including the neurobiological similarities, the psychotomimetic effects of psychedelics that may limit their clinical application, and the potential therapeutic use of psychedelics and 5-HT2A receptor agonists in treating schizophrenia symptoms.

Results

Psychedelics activate 5-HT2A receptors through specific signaling pathways (Gq/11 and Gi/o) and affect glutamatergic transmission. They produce schizophrenia-like symptoms including psychosis, sensorimotor gating deficits, and working memory impairments. However, psychedelics also promote neuroplasticity through synaptogenesis and increased neurotrophic factors, which could benefit negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.

Conclusion

While psychedelics produce psychotomimetic effects that complicate their use in schizophrenia, their neuroplastic properties and ability to increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor suggest potential therapeutic value for negative symptoms and cognitive deficits. Non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2A agonists or microdosing strategies may offer safer alternatives, but further preclinical and clinical studies are needed to establish appropriate dosing and tolerability in schizophrenia treatment.

Published in:Pharmacological Reports,
Study Type:Review,
Source: PMID: 37899392, DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00546-5