Psychoplastogens: A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Neurological Diseases and Disorders.
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters September 14, 2023 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00309 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | ketamine scopolamine N N-dimethyltryptamine rapastinel |
| Topics | Neuroplasticity |
| Keywords | Mental health Psychopharmacology Therapeutic research |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Psychoplastogens show potential for treating neurological disorders by modulating synaptic connections and plasticity. |
Abstract
Neurological diseases often involve changes in synaptic connectivity and plasticity. Psychoplastogens, substances that stimulate neuronal growth and enhance neural structures, show promise in mitigating these changes. They activate key biological targets, including AMPA receptors, TrkB, and mTOR. Substances like ketamine, scopolamine, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and rapastinel have psychoplastogenic properties. In clinical trials, psychedelic psychoplastogens have demonstrated antidepressant, anxiolytic, and anti-addictive effects. The research described in this Patent Highlight suggests the potential for novel therapies in neurological disorders that leverage psychoplastogens, which modulate synaptic connections and plasticity.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on neuroplasticity, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A neurotrophic hypothesis of depression: role of synaptogenesis in the actions of NMDA receptor antagonists | 2012 | Review | |
| Towards an understanding of psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity. Review of preclinical and clinical studies | 2023 | Review | |
| Buddha's Brain: Neuroplasticity and Meditation [In the Spotlight] | 2008 | Review | |
| Neuroplasticity as a convergent mechanism of ketamine and classical psychedelics | 2021 | Review | |
| Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms | 2020 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Effects of LSD and Psilocybin on Heart Rate in Patients Receiving Psychedelic Treatment for Depressive and Anxiety Disorders: A Retrospective Observational Study Psychology International December 19, 2025
- Expanding Ketamine Application for Treatment of Acute Suicidality in Long-Duration Spaceflight. Aerospace medicine and human performance June 1, 2025
Cites 5
- Psychedelics and Other Psychoplastogens for Treating Mental Illness Frontiers in Psychiatry October 4, 2021
- Psychedelics and Neural Plasticity: Therapeutic Implications. Journal of Neuroscience November 1, 2022
- Rapid onset brain plasticity at novel pharmacologic targets hypothetically drives innovations for rapid onset antidepressant actions. Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2023
- Natural Psychoplastogens As Antidepressant Agents Molecules March 5, 2020
- Developmental Neurotoxicity Screen of Psychedelics and Other Drugs of Abuse in Larval Zebrafish (Danio rerio). ACS Chemical Neuroscience March 1, 2023