Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: Sensitive Neuronal Units in the Midbrain Raphe
George K. Aghajanian, Warren E. Foote, Michael H. Sheard
Science August 16, 1968 DOI: 10.1126/science.161.3842.706 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Midbrain neurons containing serotonin |
| Intervention | d-lysergic acid diethylamide |
| Dose | at or below threshold for gross behavioral effects |
| Topics | LSD Serotonin |
| Keywords | Midbrain Raphe nuclei Hallucinogen Pharmacology Endocrinology Central nervous system Biochemistry Receptor |
| Citations | 406 |
| Key findings | D-lysergic acid diethylamide reversibly stops spontaneous activity in serotonin-containing midbrain neurons at doses below those causing behavioral effects. |
Abstract
Units in areas of the midbrain rich in neurons containing serotonin respond to parenteral injections of d-lysergic acid diethylamide by a reversible cessation of spontaneous activity. The dose required is at or below threshold for gross behavioral effects. An inhibition of neurons containing serotonin after administration of d-lysergic acid diethylamide could account for the decreased metabolism of serotonin produced by this drug.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neural correlates of the LSD experience revealed by multimodal neuroimaging. Human participants | 2016 | Experimental study | |
| Crystal structure of an LSD-bound human serotonin receptor | 2017 | Experimental study with structural biology and molecular dynamics simulations | |
| Connectome-harmonic decomposition of human brain activity reveals dynamical repertoire re-organization under LSD. Human brain | 2017 | Experimental study | |
| LSD-Assisted Psychotherapy in Patients with Terminal Cancer Cancer patients | 1973 | Experimental study | n = 60 |
| Alterations of consciousness and mystical-type experiences after acute LSD in humans Participants in a study on acute LSD effects | 2016 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 77
- The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014
- Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) cause selective ablation of serotonergic axon terminals in forebrain: immunocytochemical evidence for neurotoxicity Journal of Neuroscience August 1, 1988
- Hallucinogens and Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor-Mediated Signaling Pathways Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences 2017
- The neural basis of psychedelic action. Nature Neuroscience October 24, 2022
- Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews December 16, 2020
and 72 more in the library
Cites 2
- Effects of Hallucinogenic and Tranquilizing Drugs on Serotonin Evoked Uterine Contractions. Experimental Biology and Medicine 1956
- The effect of lysergic acid diethylamide, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and related compounds on the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica British Journal of Pharmacology and Chemotherapy December 1, 1957