Psilocybin mitigates the cognitive deficits observed in a rat model of Fragile X syndrome.
Valeria Buzzelli, Emilia Carbone, Antonia Manduca, Sara Schiavi, Alessandro Feo, Julia V Perederiy, Kyle H Ambert, Marvin Hausman, Viviana Trezza
Psychopharmacology 2023 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-022-06286-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preclinical experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adolescent Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats (a model of ASD and FXS) |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | microdoses |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Fragile x syndrome Microdoses Novel object recognition Rat Psychedelic medicine Genetic disorders Cognitive research Therapeutic studies |
| Citations | 20 |
| Key findings | Systemic and oral administration of psilocybin microdoses normalizes the aberrant cognitive performance displayed by adolescent Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats in the short-term version of the novel object recognition test. |
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability (ID) and the leading monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Serotonergic neurotransmission has a key role in the modulation of neuronal activity during development, and therefore, it has been hypothesized to be involved in ASD and co-occurring conditions including FXS. As serotonin is involved in synaptic remodeling and maturation, serotonergic insufficiency during childhood may have a compounding effect on brain patterning in neurodevelopmental disorders, manifesting as behavioral and emotional symptoms. Thus, compounds that stimulate serotonergic signaling such as psilocybin may offer promise as effective early interventions for developmental disorders such as ASD and FXS. The aim of the present study was to test whether different protocols of psilocybin administration mitigate cognitive deficits displayed by the recently validated Fmr1-Δexon 8 rat model of ASD, which is also a model of FXS. Our results revealed that systemic and oral administration of psilocybin microdoses normalizes the aberrant cognitive performance displayed by adolescent Fmr1-Δexon 8 rats in the short-term version of the novel object recognition test-a measure of exploratory behavior, perception, and recognition. These data support the hypothesis that serotonin-modulating drugs such as psilocybin may be useful to ameliorate ASD-related cognitive deficits. Overall, this study provides evidence of the beneficial effects of different schedules of psilocybin treatment in mitigating the short-term cognitive deficit observed in a rat model of FXS.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo Mice | 2021 | Observational cohort | |
| Harnessing psilocybin: antidepressant-like behavioral and synaptic actions of psilocybin are independent of 5-HT2R activation in mice Mice | 2021 | Experimental study | |
| Psychedelics reopen the social reward learning critical period Mice | 2023 | Experimental study in mice | |
| Correlation between the potency of hallucinogens in the mouse head-twitch response assay and their behavioral and subjective effects in other species. C57BL/6J mice | 2020 | Experimental study with dose-response experiments | |
| Effects of psilocybin on hippocampal neurogenesis and extinction of trace fear conditioning Mice | 2013 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 15
- Ethopharmacological evaluation of antidepressant-like effect of serotonergic psychedelics in C57BL/6J male mice. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology May 1, 2024
- Psilocybin for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease Frontiers in Neuroscience July 10, 2024
- Unraveling psilocybin's therapeutic potential: behavioral and neuroplasticity insights in Wistar-Kyoto and Wistar male rat models of treatment-resistant depression. Psychopharmacology July 4, 2024
- Psilocybin as a lead candidate molecule in preclinical therapeutic studies of psychiatric disorders: A systematic review Journal of Neurochemistry November 29, 2023
- The revival of psilocybin between scientific excitement, evidence of efficacy, and real-world challenges. CNS Spectrums December 1, 2024
and 10 more in the library
Cites 35
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo Neuron July 5, 2021
- The pharmacology of psilocybin Addiction Biology October 1, 2002
- The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics November 11, 2008
and 30 more in the library