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New evidence for flexible psilocybin dosing in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Scott T Aaronson, Zofia Kozak

Med (New York, N.Y.) March 8, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.01.014 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Clinical trial Peer reviewed
Population Individuals with severely treatment-resistant depression, including those with co-morbid conditions or bipolar II disorder
Intervention Psilocybin
Dose flexible dosing schedule
Topics Depression Psychedelic-assisted therapy Psilocybin
Keywords Personalized medicine Depression treatment Mental health research
Citations 1
Key findings A flexible dosing schedule of psilocybin is feasible in individuals with severely treatment-resistant depression, including those with co-morbid conditions or bipolar II disorder.

Abstract

Psilocybin has demonstrated efficacy for treating depression; however, psychiatrically complex patients have been excluded from trials. A recent clinical trial by Rosenblat at al.1 demonstrates feasibility of a flexible dosing schedule of psilocybin in individuals with severely treatment-resistant depression (TRD), including those with co-morbid conditions or bipolar II disorder (BPII), potentially expanding the current treatment paradigm.

Comparable studies

Other non-randomized and open-label trials on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Patients with severe, unipolar, treatment-resistant major depression 2017 Open-label trial n = 20
Psilocybin therapy increases cognitive and neural flexibility in patients with major depressive disorder. Patients with major depressive disorder 2021 Open-label study n = 24
HOPE: A Pilot Study of Psilocybin Enhanced Group Psychotherapy in Patients With Cancer. Cancer patients with a DSM-5 depressive disorder (major depressive disorder or... 2023 Open-label feasibility and safety pilot study n = 12
Group psychedelic therapy: empirical estimates of cost-savings and improved access Adults with PTSD or major depressive disorder eligible for psychedelic-assisted therapy... 2023 Comparative cost analysis using trial data and published estimates
Increased low-frequency brain responses to music after psilocybin therapy for depression. Patients with treatment-resistant depression 2023 Open-label trial n = 19

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