The DMT and Psilocin Treatment Changes CD11b+ Activated Microglia Immunological Phenotype
Urszula Kozłowska, Aleksandra Klimczak, Kalina Wiatr, Maciej Figiel
bioRxiv Preprint Server March 7, 2021 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.07.434103 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Laboratory study |
|---|---|
| Population | Microglial cells and neuron-microglia co-cultures |
| Interventions | DMT psilocin |
| Topics | DMT Psilocybin |
| Citations | 27 |
| Key points | DMT and psilocin regulate the immunomodulatory potential of microglia by reducing immune markers and upregulating TREM2, and psilocin protects neurons by attenuating microglial phagocytosis. |
Abstract
Psychedelics are new, promising candidate molecules for clinical use in psychiatric disorders such as Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They were recently also proposed as molecules supporting neural tissue repair by anti-inflammatory properties. Here we reported that two classic psychedelics, DMT and psilocin, can influence microglial functions by reducing the level of TLR4, p65, CD80 proteins, which are markers of the immune response, and upregulat TREM2 neuroprotective receptor. Psilocin also secured neuronal survival in the neuron-microglia co-culture model by attenuating the phagocytic function of microglia. We conclude that DMT and psilocin regulate the immunomodulatory potential of microglia. Of note, psychedelics were previously reported as a relatively safe treatment approach. The demonstrated regulation of inflammatory molecules and microglia phagocytosis suggests that psychedelics or their analogs are candidates in the therapy of neurological disorders where microglia and inflammation significantly contribute to pathogenic disease mechanisms.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on DMT, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short term changes in the proteome of human cerebral organoids induced by 5-MeO-DMT. Human cerebral organoids | 2017 | Experimental study | |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |
| Metabolism and disposition of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and harmala alkaloids after oral administration of ayahuasca Healthy male volunteers | 2012 | Observational pharmacokinetic study | n = 10 |
| Unmasking of a neonatal somatovesical reflex in adult cats by the serotonin autoreceptor agonist 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine. Adult cats | 1990 | Experimental study | n = 10 |
| Studies on the Mechanism of Action of Monoamine Oxidase: Metabolism of N,N-Dimethyltryptamine and N,N-Dimethyltryptamine-N-Oxide | 1962 | Experimental study |
Citations in the library
Cited by 23
- From psychiatry to neurology: Psychedelics as prospective therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders Journal of Neurochemistry September 14, 2021
- Ketamine and serotonergic psychedelics: An update on the mechanisms and biosignatures underlying rapid-acting antidepressant treatment Neuropharmacology January 13, 2023
- Psychedelic-inspired approaches for treating neurodegenerative disorders. Journal of Neurochemistry July 1, 2022
- The Effect of Combined Treatment of Psilocybin and Eugenol on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Brain Inflammation in Mice Molecules March 14, 2023
- Self-Medication for Chronic Pain Using Classic Psychedelics: A Qualitative Investigation to Inform Future Research Frontiers in Psychiatry November 12, 2021
and 18 more in the library
Cites 5
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- Psychedelic Psychiatry's Brave New World. Cell April 1, 2020
- Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents International Review of Psychiatry July 4, 2018
- Psychedelics as a treatment for disorders of consciousness Neuroscience of Consciousness 2019
- Psychedelics as a Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience August 21, 2020