Lasting effect of psilocybin on sociability can be blocked by DNA methyltransferase inhibition
Chenchen Song, Tinya Chang, Tobias Buchborn, Thomas Knöpfel
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) March 11, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.1101/2025.03.10.642385 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preclinical experimental study |
|---|---|
| Population | Cntnap2-knockout mouse model of autism |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Dose | single systemic administration |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Dna methyltransferase Pharmacology |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | A single systemic administration of psilocybin durably promotes social behavior in Cntnap2-knockout mice, an effect blocked by DNA methyltransferase I inhibition. |
Abstract
Abstract The recent renaissance in research on psychedelics such as psilocybin has highlighted their therapeutic potential including their lasting influences on brain function. Here we report that a single systemic administration of the serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin can durably promote social behaviour in the Cntnap2-knockout mouse model of autism. This effect can be blocked by pharmacological inhibition of DNA methyltransferase I, indicating an epigenetic mechanism underlying the long-lasting effect of psilocybin.
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 4
- Epigenetic landscapes of classical psychedelics and ketamine: molecular mechanisms of long-lasting neuromodulation Molecular Psychiatry July 10, 2026
- Psilocybin modulates social behaviour in male and female mice in a time-dependent manner. Neuropsychopharmacology May 25, 2026
- Psilocybin modulates social behaviour in male and female mice in a time-dependent manner bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) December 22, 2025
- Serotonergic psychedelics as epigenetic modulators: A paradigm shift in Alzheimer's disease therapeutics. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews May 1, 2026
Cites 20
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine November 3, 2022
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Psychopharmacology November 8, 2017
- Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo Neuron July 5, 2021
- Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels Neuropsychopharmacology January 26, 2019
and 15 more in the library