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Tânia Marcourakis

13 papers in the library · 46 citations · publishing 2021-2026

Papers

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562. Repeated psilocybin administration does not induce rewarding effects and increases ventral tegmental dopaminergic activity during withdrawal

International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology September 9, 2026 V Bruno, M Lopez-Canul, B Richardson et al.

Abstract Background Psilocybin has shown therapeutic potential for several neuropsychiatric disorders; however, concerns remain regarding its abuse liability and long-term neurobiological effects following repeated use. While acute psychedelic administration is generally considered to have low addictive potential, the consequences of repeated exposure on reward processing, withdrawal-related...

Impact of CYP2D6 Polymorphisms on the Pharmacokinetics of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and Harmine via PBPK Modeling and Simulation

Future Pharmacology June 23, 2026 Gabriella de Souza Gomes Ribeiro, Pieter Annaert, Frederico Severino Martins et al.

Background/Objectives: In this study, we present an analysis of ayahuasca, a psychedelic preparation containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carbolines, such as harmine (HRM), a reversible monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor that enables the oral bioavailability of DMT. CYP2D6 is a highly polymorphic enzyme associated with interindividual variability in drug exposure, but its influence...

Predicting drug–drug interactions between ayahuasca alkaloids and SSRIs using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling

Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences February 18, 2026 Gabriella de Souza Gomes Ribeiro, Beatriz Aparecida Passos Bismara Paranhos, Fabiane Dörr et al. 1 citation

The findings suggest a clinically relevant interaction between ayahuasca and SSRIs, as even modest increases in DMT exposure may intensify serotonergic effects in individuals receiving antidepressant therapy. This study provides a mechanistic and quantitative framework for assessing interaction risks between ayahuasca alkaloids and SSRIs, supporting clinical decision-making and harm-reduction...

Dimethyltryptamine and harmine, components of ayahuasca, prevented cocaine-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells

Archives of Toxicology November 12, 2025 Gilles Salles, Carolina Aparecida de Faria Almeida, Isabella de Carvalho Alves et al.

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew traditionally used in religious rituals by indigenous Amazonian populations and South American syncretic religions such as Santo Daime and União do Vegetal. Its psychoactive effects are primarily due to N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), while harmine (HRE), a β-carboline alkaloid, inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO), enabling DMT's oral bioavailability. Recent studies...

Ayahuasca prevents the reinstatement of cocaine-induced rewarding effects in C57Bl/6 mice.

Psychopharmacology October 31, 2025 Vítor Bruno, Lídia Emmanuela Wiazowski Spelta, Matheus Lujan Pereira et al.

Ayahuasca is a brew containing the psychedelic compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carbolines, traditionally consumed in indigenous rituals. Recent studies suggest its potential to reduce depression and anxiety and as an alternative for treating ethanol and tobacco use disorders. However, research on its impact on cocaine use disorder remains limited. To analyze the rewarding effects of...

High dose of psilocybin induces acute behavioral changes without inducing conditioned place preference in Sprague-Dawley rats

Journal of Psychopharmacology September 22, 2025 Vítor Bruno, Martha López-canul, Brandon Richardson et al. 3 citations

Background: In recent years, there has been a resurgence of scientific interest in psychedelics, including psilocybin, for their potential in treating neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the reward-related effects of psilocybin and its impact on behavior remain underexplored. Aims: We aimed to evaluate the potential rewarding effects of high doses of psilocybin and its effects on rat behavior....

317. PSILOCYBIN DOES NOT INDUCE CONDITIONED PLACE PREFERENCE, BUT MODIFIES BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS IN SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology August 1, 2025 Valeria Bruno, Bruce Richardson, Martha López-canul et al.

Abstract Background Recent years have seen renewed scientific interest in psychedelics, including psilocybin, for their potential in treating neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the reward-related properties and behavioral impacts of a high dose of psilocybin remain insufficiently explored. Aims & Objectives Assessing the potential rewarding properties of a high dose of psilocybin (10 mg/kg...

Ayahuasca prevents the reinstatement of cocaine-induced rewarding effects in C57Bl/6 mice

Research Square July 25, 2025 Vítor Bruno, Lídia Emmanuela Wiazowski Spelta, Matheus Lujan Pereira et al.

Abstract Ayahuasca is a psychedelic brew used for centuries in religious rituals by indigenous cultures. Recent studies suggest its potential to reduce depression and anxiety and as an alternative for treating ethanol and tobacco use disorders. However, research on its impact on cocaine use disorder remains limited. We investigated the effects of ayahuasca on the reinstatement of...

Ketamine-Ethanol Combination Decreases Reduced Glutathione Levels and Activates both Intrinsic and Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathways Prior to Neuronal Death in SH-SY5Y Cells.

Neurotoxicity Research June 7, 2025 Felype Valentim Duarte Castelhano, Carolina Aparecida de Faria Almeida, Giulia de Assis Braz et al. 3 citations

Ketamine is an anesthetic drug that has been illegally used due to its hallucinogenic effects. Its use is often concomitant with drugs such as ethanol, which can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system. This study investigates the neurotoxicity of ketamine-ethanol combination in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line, exploring the mechanisms preceding cell death. Cell viability,...

Ayahuasca for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.

International review of neurobiology 2024 Eduardo A V Marinho, Yasmim A. Serra, Alexandre J. Oliveira-Lima et al. 6 citations

For decades, psychedelics have been investigated for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Specifically, evidence suggests that psychedelics may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. Several studies with classic psychedelics, including LSD and psilocybin, show promising results, with psychedelics decreasing alcohol drinking and promoting abstinence in...

Uso terapêutico de mdma na psicoterapia assistida para o tratamento de transtorno de estresse pós-traumático (tept)

2022 Amanda Medeiros Furquim, Tânia Marcourakis

INTRODUÇÃO: O Transtorno de Estresse Pós-Traumático (TEPT) é um transtorno neuropsiquiátrico que se desencadeia após a experiência ou testemunho de um evento psicologicamente traumático. Este distúrbio representa um grande problema de saúde pública mundial, afetando mais de 8 milhões de americanos e custando cerca de US{dollar} 43,2 bilhões por ano aos EUA. Os tratamentos existentes consistem...

Psicoterapia assistida por psilocibina no tratamento da depressão

2022 Gabriela Zorzi Marcello Marcello, Tânia Marcourakis

A depressão é uma doença que acomete cerca de 3,4% da população mundial e para a qual, até hoje, existem diversas barreiras para que se possa alcançar a cura. Os tratamentos atuais baseiam-se em medicação antidepressiva, sendo de primeira escolha, na maior parte dos casos, a classe dos inibidores seletivos da recaptação de serotonina (ISRS). No cenário de utilização da farmacoterapia com...

Ayahuasca, a psychedelic beverage, modulates neuroplasticity induced by ethanol in mice

Behavioural Brain Research August 23, 2021 Carolina Aparecida Faria Almeida, Antônio Alves Pereira-Júnior, Jéssica Gonçalves Rangel et al. 33 citations

Alcohol use disorder needs more effective treatments because relapse rates remain high. Psychedelics, such as ayahuasca, have been used to treat substance use disorders. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of ayahuasca on ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization (EIBS). Swiss mice received 2.2 g/kg ethanol or saline IP injections every other day across nine days (D1, D3, D5, D7, and D9),...