Skip to content

Richardson N. Leão

10 papers in the library · 167 citations · publishing 2018-2026

Papers

Sort Most recent Most cited

Single-dose DMT reverses anhedonia and cognitive deficits via restoration of neurogenesis in a stress-induced depression model.

Translational Psychiatry January 29, 2026 Rafael V Lima Da Cruz, Rêmullo B. G. De Miranda Costa, Gabriel M. De Queiroz et al. 2 citations

Major depressive disorder (MDD) remains a leading cause of disability worldwide, with current treatments limited by delayed onset and low efficacy. The serotonergic psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) has shown rapid antidepressant effects in early clinical studies, yet its mechanisms and efficacy remain poorly characterized in established models of depression. Here, we evaluated the...

Serotonergic psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT alters plasticity-related gene expression and generates anxiolytic effects in stressed mice.

Molecular Psychiatry 2025 Margareth Nogueira, Daiane C Ferreira Golbert, Richardson Menezes et al. 18 citations

Serotonergic psychedelics have potential therapeutic effects in treating anxiety and mood disorders, often after a single dose, and are suggested to have plasticity-inducing action. However, a comprehensive mechanism of action is still lacking. Here, we investigated how a single dose of the short-acting 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) acts on gene expression from microdissected...

Effects of psychedelics on neurogenesis and broader neuroplasticity: a systematic review.

Mol Med December 19, 2024 Rafael V Lima Da Cruz, Richardson N. Leão, Thiago C. Moulin 13 citations

In the mammalian brain, new neurons continue to be generated throughout life in a process known as adult neurogenesis. The role of adult-generated neurons has been broadly studied across laboratories, and mounting evidence suggests a strong link to the HPA axis and concomitant dysregulations in patients diagnosed with mood disorders. Psychedelic compounds, such as phenethylamines, tryptamines,...

Author Correction: 5-MeO-DMT induces sleep-like LFP spectral signatures in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of awake rats

Scientific Reports July 14, 2024 Annie C. Souza, Bryan C. Souza, Arthur França et al. 1 citation

The original version of this Article contained an error in Affiliation 6, which was incorrectly given as ‘Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.’ The correct affiliation is listed below:

5-MeO-DMT induces sleep-like LFP spectral signatures in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of awake rats.

Scientific Reports May 17, 2024 Annie C. Souza, Bryan C. Souza, Arthur França et al. 7 citations

5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a potent classical psychedelic known to induce changes in locomotion, behaviour, and sleep in rodents. However, there is limited knowledge regarding its acute neurophysiological effects. Local field potentials (LFPs) are commonly used as a proxy for neural activity, but previous studies investigating psychedelics have been hindered by confounding...

Serotonergic psychedelic 5-MeO-DMT alters plasticity-related gene expression and generates anxiolytic effects in stressed mice

Research Square December 28, 2023 Margareth Nogueira, Daiane C Ferreira Golbert, Richardson Menezes et al. 2 citations

Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics have potential therapeutic effects in treating anxiety and mood disorders, often after a single dose, and are suggested to have plasticity-inducing action. One lesser studied psychedelic, the 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), is suggested to have anxiolytic effects yet a comprehensive mechanism of action is still lacking. Here, we investigated the...

Effects of psychedelics on neurogenesis and brain plasticity: A systematic review

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) July 20, 2023 Rafael V Lima Da Cruz, Richardson N. Leão, Thiago C. Moulin preprint

In the mammalian brain, new neurons continue to be generated throughout life in a process known as adult neurogenesis. The role of adult-generated neurons has been broadly studied across laboratories, and mounting evidence suggests a strong link to the HPA axis and concomitant malfunctions in patients diagnosed with mood disorders. Psychedelic compounds, such as phenethylamines, tryptamines,...

Anxiety-like behavior induced by salicylate depends on age and can be prevented by a single dose of 5-MeO-DMT.

Experimental Neurology April 1, 2020 Jessica Winne, Barbara C Boerner, Thawann Malfatti et al. 34 citations

Salicylate intoxication is a cause of tinnitus and comorbidly associated with anxiety in humans. In a previous work, we showed that salicylate induces anxiety-like behavior and hippocampal type 2 theta oscillations (theta2) in mice. Here we investigate if the anxiogenic effect of salicylate is dependent on age and previous tinnitus experience. We also tested whether a single dose of DMT can...

Corrigendum: A Single Dose of 5-MeO-DMT Stimulates Cell Proliferation, Neuronal Survivability, Morphological and Functional Changes in Adult Mice Ventral Dentate Gyrus

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience April 4, 2019 Rafael Vitor Lima Da Cruz, Thiago C. Moulin, Lyvia Lintzmaier Petiz et al. 4 citations correction

CORRECTION article Front. Mol. Neurosci., 04 April 2019Sec. Molecular Signalling and Pathways Volume 12 - 2019 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2019.00079

A Single Dose of 5-MeO-DMT Stimulates Cell Proliferation, Neuronal Survivability, Morphological and Functional Changes in Adult Mice Ventral Dentate Gyrus

Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience September 4, 2018 Rafael Vitor Lima Da Cruz, Thiago C. Moulin, Lyvia Lintzmaier Petiz et al. 86 citations

The subgranular zone (SGZ) of dentate gyrus (DG) is one of the few regions in which neurogenesis is maintained throughout adulthood. It is believed that newborn neurons in this region encode temporal information about partially overlapping contextual memories. The 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a naturally occurring compound capable of inducing a powerful psychedelic state....