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Sean Huff

2 papers in the library · 111 citations · publishing 2013-2019

Papers

Biosynthesis and Extracellular Concentrations of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in Mammalian Brain.

Scientific Reports June 27, 2019 Jon G Dean, Tiecheng Liu, Sean Huff et al. 111 citations

The psychedelic compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is produced naturally in mammals, but whether it is made in the brain was unclear. This study found that the enzymes needed to synthesize DMT are present in the cerebral cortex, pineal gland, and choroid plexus of both rats and humans. In rat brain tissues, the two key enzymes were found together, unlike in peripheral tissues. DMT concentrations in the cerebral cortex of behaving rats were similar to those of neurotransmitters like serotonin. DMT levels in the visual cortex rose significantly after cardiac arrest, even without the pineal gland. These findings indicate the rat brain can synthesize and release DMT at neurotransmitter-like levels, suggesting human brains might do the same.

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45812-w (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Serotonin DMT Synthesis Produce Production +11

Surge of neurophysiological coherence and connectivity in the dying brain.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America August 27, 2013 Jimo Borjigin, UnCheol Lee, Tiecheng Liu et al.

During cardiac arrest, the mammalian brain can generate a transient surge of highly coherent gamma oscillations that exceed levels seen during conscious waking. In rats undergoing experimental cardiac arrest, continuous electroencephalography revealed a global increase in gamma power, coherence, and directed connectivity within the first 30 seconds after arrest, before the electroencephalogram became isoelectric. These gamma waves were tightly phase-coupled to theta and alpha waves. The findings suggest that near-death, the brain can paradoxically produce neural correlates of heightened conscious processing.

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1308285110 (opens in new tab) Full text (opens in new tab) Near-death experience Consciousness Global hypoxia Global ischemia