The 5-HT2A/1A Agonist Psilocybin Disrupts Modal Object Completion Associated with Visual Hallucinations
Michael Kometer, B. Rael Cahn, David Andel, Olivia Carter, Franz X. Vollenweider
Biological Psychiatry December 4, 2010 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.10.002 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Placebo-controlled crossover trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 17 |
| Population | Normal volunteers |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | 125 and 250 μg/kg |
| Topics | Psilocybin Serotonin |
| Keywords | Visual hallucination Agonist Hallucinogen Object grammar Cognitive psychology Audiology Artificial intelligence Receptor |
| Citations | 101 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin dose-dependently decreased the N170 component and slightly enhanced the P1 component, with the N170 reduction correlating with visual hallucination intensity. |
Abstract
BackgroundRecent findings suggest that the serotonergic system and particularly the 5-HT2A/1A receptors are implicated in visual processing and possibly the pathophysiology of visual disturbances including hallucinations in schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.MethodsTo investigate the role of 5-HT2A/1A receptors in visual processing the effect of the hallucinogenic 5-HT2A/1A agonist psilocybin (125 and 250 μg/kg vs. placebo) on the spatiotemporal dynamics of modal object completion was assessed in normal volunteers (n = 17) using visual evoked potential recordings in conjunction with topographic-mapping and source analysis. These effects were then considered in relation to the subjective intensity of psilocybin-induced visual hallucinations quantified by psychometric measurement.ResultsPsilocybin dose-dependently decreased the N170 and, in contrast, slightly enhanced the P1 component selectively over occipital electrode sites. The decrease of the N170 was most apparent during the processing of incomplete object figures. Moreover, during the time period of the N170, the overall reduction of the activation in the right extrastriate and posterior parietal areas correlated positively with the intensity of visual hallucinations.ConclusionsThese results suggest a central role of the 5-HT2A/1A-receptors in the modulation of visual processing. Specifically, a reduced N170 component was identified as potentially reflecting a key process of 5-HT2A/1A receptor-mediated visual hallucinations and aberrant modal object completion potential.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on serotonin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute psychological and physiological effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a double-blind, placebo-controlled dose?effect study Healthy human subjects | 2004 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 8 |
| Dose-Response Study of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in Humans Experienced hallucinogen users | 1994 | Double-blind, saline placebo-controlled, randomized study | n = 12 |
| Acute Effects of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Subjects Healthy subjects (8 women, 8 men) | 2014 | Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study | n = 16 |
| Changes in global and thalamic brain connectivity in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness are attributable to the 5-HT2A receptor Healthy human participants | 2018 | Double-blind, randomized, counterbalanced, cross-over study | n = 24 |
| Activation of Serotonin 2A Receptors Underlies the Psilocybin-Induced Effects on Oscillations, N170 Visual-Evoked Potentials, and Visual Hallucinations Healthy human subjects | 2013 | Randomized controlled trial |
Citations in the library
Cited by 69
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
- Acute, subacute and long-term subjective effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a pooled analysis of experimental studies Journal of Psychopharmacology September 20, 2010
- Activation of Serotonin 2A Receptors Underlies the Psilocybin-Induced Effects on Oscillations, N170 Visual-Evoked Potentials, and Visual Hallucinations Journal of Neuroscience June 19, 2013
- Psilocybin-Induced Decrease in Amygdala Reactivity Correlates with Enhanced Positive Mood in Healthy Volunteers Biological Psychiatry April 26, 2014
- Psilocybin Biases Facial Recognition, Goal-Directed Behavior, and Mood State Toward Positive Relative to Negative Emotions Through Different Serotonergic Subreceptors Biological Psychiatry May 9, 2012
and 64 more in the library
Cites 12
- Psilocybin induces schizophrenia-like psychosis in humans via a serotonin-2 agonist action Neuroreport December 1, 1998
- The Standardized Psychometric Assessment of Altered States of Consciousness (ASCs) in Humans Pharmacopsychiatry July 1, 1998
- Serotonin research: contributions to understanding psychoses TIPS - Trends in Pharmacological Sciences August 1, 2008
- Using Psilocybin to Investigate the Relationship between Attention, Working Memory, and the Serotonin 1A and 2A Receptors Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience October 1, 2005
- Psilocybin impairs high-level but not low-level motion perception Neuroreport August 1, 2004
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