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Psilocybin-induced changes in neural reactivity to alcohol and emotional cues in patients with alcohol use disorder: An fMRI pilot study

Summary

This pilot study examined how psilocybin affects the brains of people with alcohol use disorder. Using brain imaging (fMRI), researchers found that psilocybin increased activity in brain regions associated with decision-making and emotional control while decreasing activity in regions linked to cravings. These findings suggest psilocybin may help people with alcohol addiction by enhancing their ability to regulate emotions and resist urges to drink.

Background

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant public health concern with limited treatment options. Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) has emerged as a potential novel therapeutic approach for various psychiatric conditions. This pilot study examined how psilocybin affects brain activity patterns related to alcohol and emotional processing in AUD patients.

Objective

To investigate psilocybin-induced changes in neural reactivity to alcohol and emotional cues in patients with alcohol use disorder using functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Results

Psilocybin increased activity in medial and lateral prefrontal cortex and left caudate, while decreasing activity in insular, motor, temporal, parietal, occipital cortices and cerebellum across both alcohol and emotional cues. Unique to negative cues, psilocybin increased supramarginal gyrus activity; to positive cues, it increased right hippocampus activity and decreased left hippocampus activity.

Conclusion

The observed pattern of increased prefrontal and caudate engagement with concomitant insula and motor disengagement suggests enhanced goal-directed action and improved emotional regulation. These robust neuroimaging changes warrant larger studies to better understand the neural mechanisms underlying psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder.
  • Published in:J Clin Transl Sci,
  • Study Type:Clinical Trial - Pilot Study,
  • Source: PMID: PMC11033768, DOI: 10.1017/cts.2024.274
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