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Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems

Morten L. Kringelbach, Josephine Cruzat, Joana Cabral, Peter C. Whybrow, Nikos K. Logothetis, Gustavo Deco, Gitte M. Knudsen, Robin Carhart-Harris

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences April 13, 2020 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1921475117 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Population Healthy humans
Intervention Psilocybin
Topics Addiction Anxiety Psilocybin Serotonin
Keywords Neurotransmitter systems Neurotransmitter receptor Deep brain stimulation Functional neuroimaging
Citations 326
Key findings Stimulation of 5-HT2A receptors with psilocybin causally explains functional effects in the brain, providing insight into its therapeutic potential for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Abstract

Significance In a technical tour de force, we have created a framework demonstrating the underlying fundamental principles of bidirectional coupling of neuronal and neurotransmitter dynamical systems. Specifically, in the present study, we combined multimodal neuroimaging data to causally explain the functional effects of specific serotoninergic receptor (5-HT 2A R) stimulation with psilocybin in healthy humans. Longer term, this could provide a better understanding of why psilocybin is showing considerable promise as a therapeutic intervention for neuropsychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, and addiction.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 3 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: Psilocybin for addiction Unclear

    Demonstrates that 5-HT2A receptor stimulation with psilocybin causally explains functional brain effects, which the authors suggest may help explain its promise in depression, anxiety, and addiction.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Psilocybin for anxiety Unclear

    Describes a framework causally linking 5-HT2A receptor stimulation by psilocybin to brain functional effects, with relevance to depression and anxiety proposed for future work.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Addiction Supports

    Stimulation of 5-HT2A receptors with psilocybin causally explained functional effects in the brain, which could help understand why psilocybin shows promise for neuropsychiatric disorders including addiction.

    Synthesized

Comparable studies

Other observational and cohort studies on psilocybin for addiction, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults 2015 Observational cohort n = 135,095
Psychotherapy with the aid of LSD Inpatients at Modum Bads Nervesanatorium receiving psycholytic treatment 1996 Retrospective descriptive study n = 379
Comparing Cannabis Use Motivations and Dependence Across Regular Cannabis Users Who Have or Have Not Recently Used Psilocybin Regular cannabis users (use ≥7 times/month) in Colorado, 35.1% female, 89.7% White 2024 Observational study n = 97

Citations in the library

Cited by 73

and 68 more in the library

Cites 11

and 6 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

Addiction Anxiety Psilocybin Serotonin Depression

By condition and practice

Psilocybin for addiction Psilocybin for anxiety