synaptic plasticity – mycolab.ai

New perspective on sustained antidepressant effect: focus on neurexins regulating synaptic plasticity

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This review explores how hallucinogens like ketamine and psilocybin produce long-lasting antidepressant effects by changing how brain cells communicate. The key mechanism involves special molecules called neurexins that sit at the connections between neurons and control whether those connections strengthen or weaken. By understanding and potentially targeting neurexins, scientists hope to develop new depression treatments that work longer and more effectively than current medications.

Microbiota-based interventions for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of efficacy and clinical potential

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This comprehensive review examines how modifications to gut bacteria through probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal transplants can help children with autism. The research found that while all these treatments showed some promise, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) produced the most consistent improvements in both autism-related behaviors and digestive symptoms. These microbiota-based approaches work through the gut-brain connection and were generally safe, making them potentially valuable additions to autism management strategies.

Fungal Bioactive Compounds as Emerging Therapeutic Options for Age-Related Neurodegenerative Disorders

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Mushrooms contain special compounds that may help protect our brains as we age. These fungal compounds fight inflammation, reduce harmful free radicals, and help clear out damaged cellular parts—all things that slow down brain aging and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. While the research looks very promising in lab and animal studies, scientists still need to figure out how to make these compounds work better in the human body and prove they’re safe and effective in patients.

Long-COVID symptoms improved after MDMA and psilocybin therapy: A case report

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A 41-year-old woman with Long-COVID experienced severe symptoms including fatigue, depression, anxiety, headaches, and brain fog that didn’t improve with traditional treatments. She decided to try psilocybin mushrooms and MDMA with guidance from a therapist. After multiple dosing sessions over several months, she reported roughly 80-90% improvement in her symptoms and was able to return to work and resume her studies. While this single case is promising, more research is needed to determine whether these psychedelics are truly safe and effective for Long-COVID.

Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics

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This review examines how psychedelic substances like psilocybin and LSD affect brain structure and function. Research shows these compounds can increase BDNF (a protein crucial for brain health) and promote the growth of new neurons and connections between brain cells. These biological changes may explain why psychedelics have shown promise in treating depression and anxiety, with effects lasting weeks after a single dose.

Novel psychedelic interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder and their promise for precision medicine

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This review examines how psychedelic drugs like ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin could offer new hope for people with PTSD by working on the brain differently than current medications. These compounds work quickly and help the brain form new neural connections that can help people process traumatic memories more effectively. When combined with therapy, these drugs show promise in reducing PTSD symptoms faster and more effectively than traditional antidepressants. The review also explains how doctors could use personalized medicine approaches using brain scans and genetic testing to determine which treatment would work best for each individual patient.

Mushrooms, Microdosing, and Mental Illness: The Effect of Psilocybin on Neurotransmitters, Neuroinflammation, and Neuroplasticity

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This review examines how psilocybin, the active compound in certain mushrooms, may help treat depression and anxiety by reducing brain inflammation and promoting healthy neurotransmitter function. Both full doses under medical supervision and smaller ‘microdoses’ show promise for mental health conditions. The research suggests psilocybin works by calming the immune system’s inflammatory response while simultaneously supporting the brain’s natural healing and adaptation processes, offering a potential alternative treatment when standard medications don’t work.

Molecular Mechanisms of Emerging Antidepressant Strategies: From Ketamine to Neuromodulation

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Depression is a serious mental health condition affecting over 300 million people worldwide, with many patients not responding well to standard antidepressants. This review examines both traditional antidepressants like SSRIs and exciting new treatments including ketamine and psilocybin, as well as brain stimulation techniques. The key finding is that different treatments work through similar mechanisms—all ultimately enhancing brain cell connections and reducing inflammation—suggesting that combining different approaches might work better than single therapies.

Therapeutic emergence of dissociated traumatic memories during psilocybin treatment for anorexia nervosa

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Two patients with severe anorexia nervosa received psilocybin-assisted therapy and unexpectedly recovered memories of sexual assault that had been unconsciously suppressed. Processing these traumatic memories with professional support led both patients to achieve remission from their eating disorders within three months. This case report suggests that psilocybin may help unlock and heal deeply buried trauma underlying eating disorders, though more research is needed to understand how this works and ensure patient safety.

Changes in synaptic markers after administration of ketamine or psychedelics: a systematic scoping review

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This review examines how ketamine and psychedelics affect connections between brain cells. Under stressful conditions, ketamine and psychedelics appear to strengthen these connections in brain areas important for mood and learning. However, the effects are mixed under normal conditions and vary based on dose, sex, and which specific markers are measured. The findings suggest these substances may help restore brain function damaged by stress or substance use.

Research Keyword: synaptic plasticity