Perceptual Modifying Compounds and Their Potential Therapeutic Applications in Neuropsychiatric Disorders.
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters January 11, 2024 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00535 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Ketamine LSD |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Mental-health Brain-plasticity Therapeutic-medicine |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic compounds promote neuronal growth and synaptic plasticity through specific molecular pathways, offering therapeutic potential for neuropsychiatric disorders. |
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds, including ketamine and LSD, have gained renewed interest as potential treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders. These compounds act as psychoplastogens, promoting neuronal growth by activating AMPA receptors, TrkB, and mTOR. The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in their therapeutic effects through top-down control over brain regions involved in motivation, fear, and reward. Some of these compounds exhibit antidepressant effects by enhancing synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis while also demonstrating anxiolytic properties through the modulation of fear circuits. Additionally, they show promise as anti-addictive agents by disrupting addictive patterns and promoting neuroplasticity. The exploration of how psychedelic substances can be therapeutically beneficial reveals new opportunities for addressing conditions like major depressive disorder, anxiety, and addiction.