Chronic intermittent exposure to ayahuasca during aging does not affect memory in mice
Nelson Francisco Correa-Netto, L.s. Coelho, G Galfano, F. Nishide, Fumiya Tamura, M.k. Shimizu, Jair Guilherme Santos-Junior, Alessandra Linardi
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research 2017 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20176037 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 28 |
| Population | Male C57BL/6 mice |
| Intervention | Ayahuasca |
| Dose | 1.5 mL/kg |
| Duration | 12-month intervention |
| Topics | Anxiety Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Open field Habituation Affect linguistics Elevated plus maze Hallucinogen Memory impairment Cognition Physiology Pharmacology Communication Ecology |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key findings | Chronic ayahuasca exposure during aging did not affect spatial reference memory, habituation, or anxiety in mice. |
Abstract
The Quechua term ayahuasca refers to a beverage obtained from decoctions of the liana Banisteriopsis caapi with leaves of Psychotria viridis. The ritualistic use of ayahuasca is becoming a global phenomenon, with some individuals using this beverage throughout life, including in old age. Cognitive impairment is a common manifestation during aging. There are conflicting reports on the ability of some ayahuasca compounds to exert neuroprotective or neurotoxic effects that could improve or impair learning and memory. Animal models provide a relevant and accessible means of investigating the behavioral effects of ayahuasca without the environmental conditions associated with the ritualistic use of the beverage. In this study, we investigated the influence of chronic ayahuasca exposure throughout aging on the spatial reference and habituation memories of mice. Twenty-eight male c57bl/6 mice (6 months old) received ayahuasca or water (1.5 mL/kg, orally) twice a week for 12 months and were tested in the Morris water maze (MWM), open field and elevated plus maze (EPM) tasks before and after treatment. During aging, there was significant impairment in the evocation (but not acquisition) of spatial reference memory and in habituation to the open field. There was also a decrease in locomotor activity in the open field and EPM tests, whereas the anxiety parameters were unaltered. Ayahuasca treatment did not alter any of these parameters associated with aging. These findings indicate that chronic exposure to ayahuasca during aging did not affect memory in mice.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on ayahuasca for anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Changes Over Time Following Ayahuasca Exposure in Zebrafish Adult zebrafish | 2017 | Experimental study | n = 70 |
| Effects of Long-Term Ayahuasca Administration on Memory and Anxiety in Rats Rats | 2015 | Animal study | |
| Antidepressant and anxiolytic-like effects of ayahuasca in rats subjected to LPS-induced neuroinflammation Male rats, about 90 days old | 2022 | Randomized controlled trial | n = 80 |
| An ontogenic study of the behavioral effects of chronic intermittent exposure to ayahuasca in mice C57BL/6 mice | 2017 | Animal study | |
| Psychedelics: A review of their effects on recalled aversive memories and fear/anxiety expression in rodents Rodents | 2024 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- The risk of chronic psychedelic and MDMA microdosing for valvular heart disease Journal of Psychopharmacology August 12, 2023
- Ayahuasca, a psychedelic beverage, modulates neuroplasticity induced by ethanol in mice Behavioural Brain Research August 23, 2021
- Ayahuasca-enhanced extinction of fear behaviour: Role of infralimbic cortex 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors. British Journal of Pharmacology June 1, 2024
- The current state of ayahuasca research in animal models: A systematic review. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry July 13, 2023
- Psychedelics: A review of their effects on recalled aversive memories and fear/anxiety expression in rodents Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 20, 2024
and 2 more in the library
Cites 12
- Human Psychopharmacology of Hoasca, A Plant Hallucinogen Used in Ritual Context in Brazil The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease February 1, 1996
- Personality, Psychopathology, Life Attitudes and Neuropsychological Performance among Ritual Users of Ayahuasca: A Longitudinal Study PLoS One August 8, 2012
- Increased frontal and paralimbic activation following ayahuasca, the pan-amazonian inebriant Psychopharmacology March 30, 2006
- Risk assessment of ritual use of oral dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmala alkaloids Addiction December 20, 2006
- Using Psilocybin to Investigate the Relationship between Attention, Working Memory, and the Serotonin 1A and 2A Receptors Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience October 1, 2005
and 7 more in the library