Chromosomal Damage in Human Leukocytes Induced by Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Maimon M. Cohen, Michelle J. Marinello, Nathan Back
Science March 17, 1967 DOI: 10.1126/science.155.3768.1417 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractLysergic acid diethylamide added to cultured human white blood cells caused a large increase in chromosomal abnormalities. The breaks were not random, with many occurring in chromosome 1. A patient treated with the drug for paranoid schizophrenia over four years also showed similar chromosomal damage.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Cultured human leukocytes and one human patient |
| Intervention | Lysergic acid diethylamide |
| Duration | 4-year period for the patient |
| Citations | 199 |
| Key finding | LSD exposure in cultured human leukocytes and in one patient led to a marked increase in chromosomal abnormalities, with breaks accumulating in chromosome 1. |
Abstract
Addition of lysergic acid diethylamide to cultured human leukocytes resulted in a marked increase of chromosomal abnormalities. The distribution of chromosome breaks deviated significantly from random, with an accumulation of aberrations in chromosome No. 1. Cytogenetic investigation of a patient extensively treated with this drug over a 4-year period for paranoid schizophrenia showed a similar increase in chromosomal damage.