Flávia Santos Da Silva

2 papers in the library · 177 citations · publishing 2018-2019

Papers

Modulation of Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor by a Single Dose of Ayahuasca: Observation From a Randomized Controlled Trial

Frontiers in Psychology June 4, 2019 Raíssa Nóbrega de Almeida, Ana Cecília de Menezes Galvão, Flávia Santos Da Silva et al. 173 citations

A single dose of ayahuasca increased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in both healthy controls and patients with treatment-resistant depression 48 hours after ingestion, compared with placebo. Baseline BDNF levels did not predict major depression or clinical characteristics, but lower BDNF was linked to hypocortisolemia. Among patients, only those who received ayahuasca showed a negative correlation between BDNF levels and depressive symptoms at 48 hours. The findings suggest a potential link between ayahuasca's antidepressant effects and changes in BDNF, supporting further investigation into psychedelics for depression.

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01234 Ayahuasca Serotonergic Serotonin Brain-derived neurotrophic factor +12

Acute antidepressant effect of ayahuasca in juvenile non-human primate model of depression

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) January 25, 2018 Flávia Santos Da Silva, Erick Allan Dos Santos Silva, Geovan Menezes de Sousa et al. 4 citations preprint

In a juvenile model of depression using common marmosets, a single dose of ayahuasca reversed depressive-like symptoms within 24 hours, including recovery of cortisol levels, reduced stereotypic scratching in males, increased feeding, and restored body weight in both sexes. The effects lasted 14 days. The study suggests ayahuasca produces faster and more durable antidepressant effects than the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline, supporting its potential as a treatment for early-age depression.

DOI: 10.1101/254268 Full text Ayahuasca Anxiety Antidepressant Depression economics +6