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Cytogenetic Effects of LSD 25 Therapy in Man

David A. Hungerford

JAMA December 2, 1968 DOI: 10.1001/jama.1968.03150100037008 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational cohort Peer reviewed
Sample size 4
Population Patients undergoing experimental therapy with LSD 25
Intervention Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25)
Dose 200 μg per dose
Duration One to six months follow-up after the final dose
Topics LSD
Keywords Physiology Dna repair mechanisms
Citations 40
Key findings Chromosomal aberration frequencies increased after LSD administration but returned to control levels within one to six months after the final dose.

Abstract

Chromosomes have been studied in leukocytes cultured from patients undergoing experimental therapy with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD 25). Aberration frequencies prior to therapy were established for three of the four patients; these were comparable to frequencies in control subjects. Following each of three doses given intravenously (usually 200μg per dose), each patient's chromosomes were reexamined. Some increase in aberration frequency was observed, along with the appearance of some types of aberration not present before treatment. However, a return to control levels occurred in follow-up samples taken one to six months after the final dose was administered. We feel therefore that continued experimental therapy is not strongly contraindicated. On the other hand, these results can not be construed to minimize the possible cytogenetic hazards suggested by other studies concerned primarily with drug abuse.

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