This dissertation explores the lasting impact of psychedelic use on brain networks, ranging from basic sensory processing to abstract mystical experiences. Recent research has highlighted the potential of these substances for treating psychiatric disorders, with therapeutic effects persisting weeks after a single dose. We focus on serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD, which are...
Repeated administration of ketamine (KET) has been used to model schizophrenia-like symptomatology in rodents, but the psychotomimetic neurobiological and neuroanatomical underpinnings remain elusive. In parallel, the unmet need for a better treatment of schizophrenia requires the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-addictive phytocannabinoid has been...
Chronic ketamine use leads to cognitive impairments, however, the neural mechanisms underpinning these impairments are still unclear. Many studies showed Anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)is strongly involved in cognition and drug addiction, as supported by our previous studies. The objective of this study was to assess the variations in resting-state functional connectivity (FC) changes in the...
CNS DrugsDecember 1, 2024Ruyun Liu, Ning Liu, Lin Ma et al.5 citations
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a severe mental illness with a complex etiology. Currently, many medications employed in clinical treatment exhibit limitations such as delayed onset of action and a high incidence of adverse reactions. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop antidepressants that exhibit enhanced efficacy and safety. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR), a...
Psychedelic-induced experiences are thought to play an important role in the therapeutic actions of rapid-acting antidepressants. General anesthesia is one scenario in which patients can be rendered unconscious and masked to the psychedelic treatment, providing a simple yet effective method to examine drug-induced changes in the brain devoid of experiences. Chronically stressed adult C57/BL6...
Youth today are burdened by significant mental health challenges. In 2022, 25% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years experienced a mental illness, with 20% experiencing a depressive episode, 12.5% reporting serious thoughts of suicide, and 17% meeting criteria for a substance use disorder.1 Close to 5% of adolescents experience posttraumatic stress disorder.2 Impairing psychiatric symptoms remain...
Psychedelic drug therapy has gained prominence for its potential in treating various mental health conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety. Psychedelic treatment differs from conventional psychiatric approaches in mode of action, legal status, and treatment approach. This work delves into the therapeutic potential, mechanisms, and regulatory...
Although the tobacco plant has been employed as a medicinal and sacred herb by Indigenous cultures across the Americas, its usage drastically changed after the 15th-century colonial arrival; its large-scale commodification and global marketing once brought to Europe lead to hedonic and addictive uses harmful to health. As a consequence, tobacco smoking is now one of the largest public health...
Psychedelics are emerging as an effective way to combat mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance abuse. Psychedelics such as psilocybin can decrease overactivity in regions of the brain that are associated with anxiety and depression; for instance, psilocybin acts as an agonist on brain receptors to induce consciousness-altering neural responses. Compared to...
Aim: Suvorexant is an orexin receptor antagonist (ORA) for the treatment of insomnia. The antagonistic action of suvorexant on orexin receptors is associated with an increase in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which can potentially lead to nightmares depending on the patient's condition. However, the precise risk factors for nightmares among patients taking ORAs, such as suvorexant, have yet to...