1
|
Lewis EC, Jaeger A, Girn M, Omene E, Brendle M, Argento E. Exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy in the treatment of functional seizures: A review of underlying mechanisms and associated brain networks. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:407-416. [PMID: 38654554 PMCID: PMC11102649 DOI: 10.1177/02698811241248395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Functional seizures (FS), the most common subtype of functional neurological disorder (FND), cause serious neurological disability and significantly impact quality of life. Characterized by episodic disturbances of functioning that resemble epileptic seizures, FS coincide with multiple comorbidities and are treated poorly by existing approaches. Novel treatment approaches are sorely needed. Notably, mounting evidence supports the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) for several psychiatric conditions, motivating investigations into whether this efficacy also extends to neurological disorders. Here, we synthesize past empirical findings and frameworks to construct a biopsychosocial mechanistic argument for the potential of PAT as a treatment for FS. In doing so, we highlight FS as a well-defined cohort to further understand the large-scale neural mechanisms underpinning PAT. Our synthesis is guided by a complexity science perspective which we contend can afford unique mechanistic insight into both FS and PAT, as well as help bridge these two domains. We also leverage this perspective to propose a novel analytic roadmap to identify markers of FS diagnostic specificity and treatment success. This endeavor continues the effort to bridge clinical neurology with psychedelic medicine and helps pave the way for a new field of psychedelic neurology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evan Cole Lewis
- Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Manesh Girn
- Neuroscape, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Madeline Brendle
- Numinus Wellness Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Health Outcomes Division, College of Pharmacy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Elena Argento
- Numinus Wellness Inc., Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cid-Jofré V, Bahamondes T, Zúñiga Correa A, Ahumada Arias I, Reyes-Parada M, Renard GM. Psychostimulants and social behaviors. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1364630. [PMID: 38725665 PMCID: PMC11079219 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1364630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Mounting evidence from animal models and human studies indicates that psychostimulants can significantly affect social behaviors. This is not surprising considering that the neural circuits underlying the regulation and expression of social behaviors are highly overlapped with those targeted by psychostimulants, which in most cases have strong rewarding and, consequently, addictive properties. In the present work, we provide an overview regarding the effects of illicit and prescription psychostimulants, such as cocaine, amphetamine-type stimulants, methylphenidate or modafinil, upon social behaviors such as social play, maternal behavior, aggression, pair bonding and social cognition and how psychostimulants in both animals and humans alter them. Finally, we discuss why these effects can vary depending on numerous variables such as the type of drug considered, acute versus long-term use, clinical versus recreational consumption, or the presence or absence of concomitant risk factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valeska Cid-Jofré
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
| | - Tamara Bahamondes
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
| | - Agustina Zúñiga Correa
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
| | - Ivalú Ahumada Arias
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
| | - Miguel Reyes-Parada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, Chile
| | - Georgina M. Renard
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica y Aplicada (CIBAP), Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alberto-Silva AS, Hemmer S, Bock HA, Alves da Silva L, Scott KR, Kastner N, Bhatt M, Niello M, Jäntsch K, Kudlacek O, Bossi E, Stockner T, Meyer MR, McCorvy JD, Brandt SD, Kavanagh P, Sitte HH. Bioisosteric analogs of MDMA with improved pharmacological profile. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.08.588083. [PMID: 38645142 PMCID: PMC11030374 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.08.588083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ' ecstasy' ) is re-emerging in clinical settings as a candidate for the treatment of specific psychiatric disorders (e.g. post-traumatic stress disorder) in combination with psychotherapy. MDMA is a psychoactive drug, typically regarded as an empathogen or entactogen, which leads to transporter-mediated monoamine release. Despite its therapeutic potential, MDMA can induce dose-, individual-, and context-dependent untoward effects outside safe settings. In this study, we investigated whether three new methylenedioxy bioisosteres of MDMA improve its off-target profile. In vitro methods included radiotracer assays, transporter electrophysiology, bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and fluorescence-based assays, pooled human liver microsome/S9 fraction incubation with isozyme mapping, and liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. In silico methods included molecular docking. Compared with MDMA, all three MDMA bioisosteres (ODMA, TDMA, and SeDMA) showed similar pharmacological activity at human serotonin and dopamine transporters (hSERT and hDAT, respectively) but decreased activity at 5-HT 2A/2B/2C receptors. Regarding their hepatic metabolism, they differed from MDMA, with N -demethylation being the only metabolic route shared, and without forming phase II metabolites. Additional screening for their interaction with human organic cation transporters (hOCTs) and plasma membrane transporter (hPMAT) revealed a weaker interaction of the MDMA analogs with hOCT1, hOCT2, and hPMAT. Our findings suggest that these new MDMA analogs might constitute appealing therapeutic alternatives to MDMA, sparing the primary pharmacological activity at hSERT and hDAT, but displaying a reduced activity at 5-HT 2A/2B/2C receptors and reduced hepatic metabolism. Whether these MDMA bioisosteres may pose lower risk alternatives to the clinically re-emerging MDMA warrants further studies.
Collapse
|
4
|
Neumann J, Dhein S, Kirchhefer U, Hofmann B, Gergs U. Effects of congeners of amphetamine on the human heart. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024:10.1007/s00210-024-02983-2. [PMID: 38340182 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-02983-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Central stimulatory and hallucinogenic drugs of abuse like amphetamine and most congeners of amphetamine can have cardiac harmful effects. These cardiac side effects can lead to morbidities and death. In this paper, we review current knowledge on the direct and indirect effects of these amphetamine congeners on the mammalian heart-more specifically, the isolated human heart muscle preparation. In detail, we address the question of whether and how these drugs affect cardiac contractility and their mechanisms of action. Based on this information, further research areas are defined, and further research efforts are proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joachim Neumann
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 4, 06112, D-06097, Halle, Germany.
| | - Stefan Dhein
- Rudolf-Boehm Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universität Leipzig, Härtelstraße 16-18, D-04107, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Britt Hofmann
- Cardiac Surgery, Medizinische Fakultät, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, D-06097, Halle, Germany
| | - Ulrich Gergs
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Medizinische Fakultät, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Str. 4, 06112, D-06097, Halle, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Heifets BD, Olson DE. Therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics and entactogens. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:104-118. [PMID: 37488282 PMCID: PMC10700553 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01666-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Recent clinical and preclinical evidence suggests that psychedelics and entactogens may produce both rapid and sustained therapeutic effects across several indications. Currently, there is a disconnect between how these compounds are used in the clinic and how they are studied in preclinical species, which has led to a gap in our mechanistic understanding of how these compounds might positively impact mental health. Human studies have emphasized extra-pharmacological factors that could modulate psychedelic-induced therapeutic responses including set, setting, and integration-factors that are poorly modelled in current animal experiments. In contrast, animal studies have focused on changes in neuronal activation and structural plasticity-outcomes that are challenging to measure in humans. Here, we describe several hypotheses that might explain how psychedelics rescue neuropsychiatric disease symptoms, and we propose ways to bridge the gap between human and rodent studies. Given the diverse pharmacological profiles of psychedelics and entactogens, we suggest that their rapid and sustained therapeutic mechanisms of action might best be described by the collection of circuits that they modulate rather than their actions at any single molecular target. Thus, approaches focusing on selective circuit modulation of behavioral phenotypes might prove more fruitful than target-based methods for identifying novel compounds with rapid and sustained therapeutic effects similar to psychedelics and entactogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Boris D Heifets
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
| | - David E Olson
- Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95618, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Qu Y, Eguchi A, Ma L, Wan X, Mori C, Hashimoto K. Role of the gut-brain axis via the subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve in stress resilience of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in mice exposed to chronic restrain stress. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 189:106348. [PMID: 37956855 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is the most widely used illicit substance worldwide. Nevertheless, recent observational studies demonstrated that lifetime MDMA use among U.S. adults was associated with a lower risk of depression and suicide thoughts. We recently reported that the gut-brain axis may contribute to MDMA-induced stress resilience in mice. To further explore this, we investigated the effects of subdiaphragmatic vagotomy (SDV) in modulating the stress resilience effects of MDMA in mice subjected to chronic restrain stress (CRS). Pretreatment with MDMA (10 mg/kg/day for 14 days) blocked anhedonia-like behavior and reduced expression of synaptic proteins and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of CRS-exposed mice. Interestingly, SDV blocked the beneficial effects of MDMA on these alterations in CRS-exposed mice. Analysis of gut microbiome revealed alterations in four measures of α-diversity between the sham + MDMA + CRS group and the SDV + MDMA + CRS group. Moreover, specific microbes differed between the vehicle + CRS group and the MDMA + CRS group, and further differences in microbial composition were observed among all four groups. Untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that SDV prevented the increase in plasma levels of three compounds [lactic acid, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2,2,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol, 8-acetyl-7-hydroxyvumaline] observed in the sham + MDMA + CRS group. Interestingly, positive correlations were found between the plasma levels of two of these compounds and the abundance of several microbes across all groups. In conclusion, our data suggest that the gut-brain axis via the subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve might contribute to the stress resilience of MDMA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Youge Qu
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Akifumi Eguchi
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Chiba University Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Li Ma
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Xiayun Wan
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Chisato Mori
- Department of Sustainable Health Science, Chiba University Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; Department of Bioenvironmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Kenji Hashimoto
- Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Silva TG, de Souza ROMA, Garrido BC, do Rego ECP, Wollinger W, Finelli FG. Developing Amphetamine Certified Reference Materials: From Batch and Continuous-Flow Synthesis to Certification Protocol. Chempluschem 2023; 88:e202300384. [PMID: 37721529 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.202300384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Certified reference materials (CRM) of amphetamine derivatives were produced through a simple, rapid and efficient synthesis in both batch and continuous-flow conditions, accompanied by the development of a comprehensive certification protocol for this class of substances. Our chemistry enabled the synthesis of MDA, MDMA, PMA and PMMA in two steps from safrole and estragole with overall yields of 38-61 % in 48 hours under batch conditions and 61-65 % in 65 minutes under continuous-flow conditions, followed by the development of a certification protocol for these materials through identity checking, homogeneity, stability, and characterization studies. Furthermore, as result of this work, a very pure CRM of MDA.HCl with 99.1±1.4 g/100 g of certified characterization value was produced. Considering the importance of supplying amphetamine calibrants for public security efforts in Forensic Chemistry, the potential therapeutical applications, and responding to the rising demand for the synthesis of CRM, this work presents a pioneering approach for the production of amphetamine and related compounds.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thais G Silva
- Laboratório de Síntese Orgânica, Instituto de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-599, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo O M A de Souza
- Laboratório de Biocatálise e Síntese Orgânica, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Bruno C Garrido
- Divisão de Metrologia Química e Térmica, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia, 25250-020, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Eliane C P do Rego
- Divisão de Metrologia Química e Térmica, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia, 25250-020, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Wagner Wollinger
- Divisão de Metrologia Química e Térmica, Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia, 25250-020, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Fernanda G Finelli
- Laboratório de Síntese Orgânica, Instituto de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-599, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kalfas M, Taylor RH, Tsapekos D, Young AH. Psychedelics for treatment resistant depression: are they game changers? Expert Opin Pharmacother 2023; 24:2117-2132. [PMID: 37947195 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2023.2281582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A new era of treatment for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), which involves psychedelic substances, is dawning. Emerging evidence indicates that psychedelics can exert antidepressant effects through multiple neurobiological and psychological mechanisms. However, it remains to be seen if these new treatments will revolutionize the treatment of TRD. AREAS COVERED The present review focuses on the efficacy of serotoninergic psychedelics psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ayahuasca, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) and mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine), as well as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), for TRD. A systematic search was conducted for psilocybin in TRD as emerging trials had not yet been subject to review. A narrative review summarized findings on other psychedelics. EXPERT OPINION Psychedelic therapy has created a paradigm shift in the treatment of TRD, as it can maximize therapeutic benefits and minimize potential risks. Psilocybin holds promise as a potential game-changer in the treatment of TRD, with initial evidence suggesting a rapid antidepressant effect sustained for some responders for at least 3 months. Nevertheless, further adequately powered, double-blind, comparator-controlled trials are required to explore and clarify the mechanisms of action and long-term effects of psychedelics in TRD. Psychedelics also hold promise for other psychiatric conditions, such as bipolar depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michail Kalfas
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Rosie H Taylor
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Allan H Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tagen M, Mantuani D, van Heerden L, Holstein A, Klumpers LE, Knowles R. The risk of chronic psychedelic and MDMA microdosing for valvular heart disease. J Psychopharmacol 2023; 37:876-890. [PMID: 37572027 DOI: 10.1177/02698811231190865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Psychedelic microdosing is the practice of taking very low doses of psychedelic substances, typically over a longer period of time. The long-term safety of chronic microdosing is relatively uncharacterized, but valvular heart disease (VHD) has been proposed as a potential risk due to activation of the serotonin 5-HT2B receptor. However, this risk has not yet been comprehensively assessed. This analysis searched for all relevant in vitro, animal, and clinical studies related to the VHD risk of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, mescaline, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and the non-psychedelic 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). All five compounds and some metabolites could bind to the 5-HT2B receptor with potency equal to or greater than that of the 5-HT2A receptor, the primary target of psychedelics. All compounds were partial agonists at the 5-HT2B receptor with the exception of mescaline, which could not be adequately assessed due to low potency. Safety margins relative to the maximum plasma concentrations from typical microdoses were greater than known valvulopathogens, but not without potential risk. No animal or clinical studies appropriately designed to evaluate VHD risk were found for the four psychedelics. However, there is some clinical evidence that chronic ingestion of full doses of MDMA is associated with VHD. We conclude that VHD is a potential risk with chronic psychedelic microdosing, but further studies are necessary to better define this risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Mantuani
- Delos Psyche Research Group, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Delos Therapeutics, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Liron van Heerden
- Delos Psyche Research Group, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Delos Therapeutics, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Alex Holstein
- Delos Psyche Research Group, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Delos Therapeutics, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Linda E Klumpers
- Verdient Science LLC, Englewood, CO, USA
- Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Richard Knowles
- Delos Psyche Research Group, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Delos Therapeutics, Mountain View, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sherwood AM, Burkhartzmeyer EK, Williamson SE, Faley MT. Swim in the Chiral Pool: MDMA and MDA Enantiomers from Alanine-Derived Precursors. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:22132-22137. [PMID: 37360440 PMCID: PMC10286248 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c02358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
A divergent two-step process has provided access to optically pure enantiomers of MDMA and MDA, clinically relevant phenylisopropylamine entactogens. Target compounds were synthesized from commercially available alanine-derived aziridines. Critical process parameters were identified, and the reactions were optimized to avoid chromatographic purifications toward gram-scale isolations, providing (R)-(-)-MDMA, (S)-(+)-MDMA, (R)-(-)-MDA, and (S)-(+)-MDA each in greater than 98% purity by UPLC, >99% enantiomeric excess, and net yields between 50 and 60% for the complete process.
Collapse
|
11
|
Kessler L, Hopkins A, Bahrke J, Kunstman K. An Overview of Adolescent Psychostimulant Use. Pediatr Ann 2023; 52:e170-e177. [PMID: 37159061 DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20230307-05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence marks a period of significant neural maturation and development of lifelong habits, including the potential use of recreational psychostimulant drugs. Increased prevalence of drug adulteration and fatalities related to drug overdose pose new challenges for individuals who use drugs recreationally. As the prevalence of recreational psychostimulant use drastically increases during young adulthood, pediatric and adolescent health care providers can play a crucial role in the lifelong well-being of their patients by identifying those with risk factors for consequences associated with substance use at an early age. This article discusses the epidemiology, pharmacology, clinical manifestations, complications, and common methods of use for three types of psychostimulant drugs-amphetamines, methamphetamine, and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine. This article aims to provide pediatric and adolescent health care providers with practical knowledge to effectively perform substance use screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment with the goal of reducing drug-related morbidity and mortality among the adolescent age group. [Pediatr Ann. 2023;52(5):170-e177.].
Collapse
|
12
|
Tombari RJ, Mundy PC, Morales KM, Dunlap LE, Olson DE, Lein PJ. Developmental Neurotoxicity Screen of Psychedelics and Other Drugs of Abuse in Larval Zebrafish ( Danio rerio). ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:875-884. [PMID: 36753397 PMCID: PMC9983010 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, psychedelics have garnered significant interest as therapeutic agents for treating diverse neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the potential for these compounds to produce developmental neurotoxicity has not been rigorously assessed, and much of the available safety data is based on epidemiological studies with limited experimental testing in laboratory animal models. Moreover, the experimental safety data available thus far have focused on adult organisms, and the few studies conducted using developing organisms have tested a limited number of compounds, precluding direct comparisons between various chemical scaffolds. In the present study, 13 psychoactive compounds of different chemical or pharmacological classes were screened in a larval zebrafish model for teratological and behavioral abnormalities following acute and chronic developmental exposures. We found that the psychedelic tryptamines and ketamine were less neurotoxic to larval zebrafish than LSD and psychostimulants. Our work, which leverages the advantage of using zebrafish for higher throughput toxicity screening, provides a robust reference database for comparing the neurotoxicity profiles of novel psychedelics currently under development for therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Tombari
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Paige C Mundy
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Kelly M Morales
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Lee E Dunlap
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - David E Olson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, California 95817, United States.,Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95618, United States.,Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Pamela J Lein
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States.,Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95618, United States
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kisely S, Connor M, Somogyi AA, Siskind D. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the effect of psilocybin and methylenedioxymethamphetamine on mental, behavioural or developmental disorders. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2023; 57:362-378. [PMID: 35285280 DOI: 10.1177/00048674221083868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is an increasing interest in combining psilocybin or methylenedioxymethamphetamine with psychological support in treating psychiatric disorders. Although there have been several recent systematic reviews, study and participant numbers have been limited, and the field is rapidly evolving with the publication of more studies. We therefore conducted a systematic review of PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and CINAHL for randomised controlled trials of methylenedioxymethamphetamine and psilocybin with either inactive or active controls. METHODS Outcomes were psychiatric symptoms measured by standardised, validated and internationally recognised instruments at least 2 weeks following drug administration, Quality was independently assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. RESULTS There were eight studies on methylenedioxymethamphetamine and six on psilocybin. Diagnoses included post-traumatic stress disorder, long-standing/treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety in adults with autism, and anxiety or depression in life-threatening disease. The most information and strongest association was for the change in methylenedioxymethamphetamine scores compared to active controls in post-traumatic stress disorder (k = 4; standardised mean difference = -0.86; 95% confidence interval = [-1.23, -0.50]; p < 0.0001). There were also small benefits for social anxiety in adults with autism. Psilocybin was superior to wait-list but not niacin (active control) in life-threatening disease anxiety or depression. It was equally as effective as escitalopram in long-standing depression for the primary study outcome and superior for most of the secondary outcomes in analyses uncorrected for multiple comparisons. Both agents were well tolerated in supervised trials. Trial quality varied with only small proportions of potential participants included in the randomised phase. Overall certainty of evidence was low or very low using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation framework. CONCLUSION Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and psilocybin may show promise in highly selected populations when administered in closely supervised settings and with intensive support.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steve Kisely
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,Addiction and Mental Health Services, Metro South Health Service, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,Departments of Psychiatry, Community Health & Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Mark Connor
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew A Somogyi
- Discipline of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Dan Siskind
- School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.,Addiction and Mental Health Services, Metro South Health Service, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Repeated use of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine is associated with the resilience in mice after chronic social defeat stress: A role of gut-microbiota-brain axis. Psychiatry Res 2023; 320:115020. [PMID: 36571897 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.115020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), the most widely used illicit compound worldwide, is the most attractive therapeutic drug for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent observational studies of US adults demonstrated that lifetime MDMA use was associated with lower risk of depression. Here, we examined whether repeated administration of MDMA can affect resilience versus susceptibility in mice exposed to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). CSDS produced splenomegaly, anhedonia-like phenotype, and higher plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the saline-treated mice. In contrast, CSDS did not cause these changes in the MDMA-treated mice. Analysis of gut microbiome found several microbes altered between saline + CSDS group and MDMA + CSDS group. Untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that plasma levels of N-epsilon-methyl-L-lysine in the saline + CSDS group were significantly higher than those in the control and MDMA + CSDS groups. Interestingly, there were positive correlations between plasma IL-6 levels and the abundance of several microbes (or plasma N-epsilon-methyl-L-lysine) in the three groups. Furthermore, there were also positive correlations between the abundance of several microbes and N-epsilon-methyl-L-lysine in the three groups. In conclusion, these data suggest that repeated administration of MDMA might contribute to stress resilience in mice subjected to CSDS through gut-microbiota-brain axis.
Collapse
|
15
|
Madia MAO, de Oliveira LO, Baccule NS, Sakurada JY, Scanferla DTP, Aguera RG, Moreira PP, Bando É, Junior MM, Marchioni C, Mossini SAG. Amphetamine, methamphetamine, and MDMA in hair samples from a rehabilitation facility: Validation and applicability of HF-LPME-GC-MS. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2023; 119:107212. [PMID: 36028047 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2022.107212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is known that drug abuse jeopardizes economic and social development. Toxicological analyses can guide prevention and treatment strategies in rehabilitation facilities. The current greatest challenge is finding easily adaptable and less costly sensitive methods that meet the principles of green chemistry. Hair, as a biological matrix, has several advantages, and its ability to detect consumption for longer periods keeping the matrix stable and unaltered stands out. This manuscript addresses the use of a miniaturized technique in an alternative matrix, by making use of a reduced amount of solvents to quantify amphetamines, aiming to guide prevention and treatment strategies in rehabilitation facilities. METHODS A Hollow Fiber Liquid-phase Microextraction (HF-LPME) technique for extracting amphetamines from hair samples with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (CG-MS) was validated, adapted, and applied to ten samples from patients of a rehabilitation facility. RESULTS The technique proved to be sensitive, accurate, precise, and not affected by interference from the biological matrix and the linear range for the analytes was 0.2 to 20 ng mg -1. The three analytes were quantified in the samples analyzed. It is worth stressing that the patients were young. CONCLUSION The HF-LPME-GC-MS technique complied with the principles of green chemistry, and proved to be a sensitive technique, adaptable to the routine of common laboratories. Validation in the analysis phase with authentic samples, thus, showed that it can be an important tool for preventing and controlling drug addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mariana A O Madia
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Luís O de Oliveira
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil; State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Nicole S Baccule
- State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Y Sakurada
- State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Deborah T P Scanferla
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Raul G Aguera
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Paula P Moreira
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Érika Bando
- Laboratory of Toxicology. Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Miguel Machinski Junior
- Laboratory of Toxicology. Department of Basic Health Sciences, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| | - Camila Marchioni
- Department of Pathology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis - Santa Catarina, Brazil, R. Eng. Agronômico Andrei Cristian Ferreira, s/n - Trindade, 88040-900 Florianópolis - Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Simone A G Mossini
- Program on Bioscience and Physiopathology, State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil; State University of Maringá, Maringá - Paraná, Brazil, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco I90 - sala 102B. Jardim Universitário, 87020-900 Maringá - Paraná, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Psicoterapia Assistida por MDMA: um Novo Paradigma no Tratamento da Perturbação de Stress Pós‐Traumático Resistente? REVISTA PORTUGUESA DE PSIQUIATRIA E SAÚDE MENTAL 2022. [DOI: 10.51338/rppsm.327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
A perturbação de stress pós‐traumático (PSPT) é uma doença psiquiátrica comum, geralmente crónica, com severas implicações na qualidade de vida da pessoa afetada e da sua família, e que tem vindo a apresentar um crescente reconhecimento enquanto problema de Saúde Pública. Nas últimas duas décadas, estudos clínicos com 3,4‐metilenodioximetanfetamina (MDMA) têm vindo a demonstrar o seu papel promissor enquanto potencializador psicoterapêutico em doentes com PSPT, tendo a psicoterapia assistida por MDMA inclusivamente recebido em 2017 a designação de breakthrough therapy.
Estes estudos têm vindo a ser replicados em vários locais do mundo, segundo estritos protocolos, estando atualmente asua aprovação para uso clínico prevista para 2023. Em maio de 2021, foram publicados os primeiros resultados de estudos de fase III, nos quais os participantes que receberam psicoterapia assistida por MDMA experienciaram uma redução significativa e duradoura nos sintomas de PSPT. Os efeitos pró‐sociais e interpessoais agudos do MDMA têm demonstrado melhorar significativamente a qualidade da aliança terapêutica, potenciando a adesão ao tratamento da PSPT e o seu outcome. Os clínicos sugerem que o MDMA pode catalisar o processamento terapêutico, permitindo que os pacientes permaneçam emocionalmente envolvidos enquanto revisitam experiências traumáticas sem se tornarem oprimidos.Tendo em conta a prevalência da PSPT e as limitações encontradas com os tratamentos atualmente disponíveis, foi realizada uma revisão narrativa da literatura com o objetivo de examinar a utilização da psicoterapia assistida por MDMA na perturbação de stress pós‐traumático, apresentando uma contextualização histórica desta molécula, os seus potenciais efeitos nos diferentes sintomas desta patologia e identificando áreas prioritárias para intervenção e investigações futuras.
Collapse
|
17
|
Islas ÁA, Scior T. Allosteric Binding of MDMA to the Human Serotonin Transporter (hSERT) via Ensemble Binding Space Analysis with ΔG Calculations, Induced Fit Docking and Monte Carlo Simulations. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27092977. [PMID: 35566327 PMCID: PMC9099856 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27092977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite the recent promising results of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) as a psychotherapeutic agent and its history of misuse, little is known about its molecular mode of action. MDMA enhances monoaminergic neurotransmission in the brain and its valuable psychoactive effects are associated to a dual action on the 5-HT transporter (SERT). This drug inhibits the reuptake of 5-HT (serotonin) and reverses its flow, acting as a substrate for the SERT, which possesses a central binding site (S1) for antidepressants as well as an allosteric (S2) one. Previously, we characterized the spatial binding requirements for MDMA at S1. Here, we propose a structure-based mechanistic model of MDMA occupation and translocation across both binding sites, applying ensemble binding space analyses, electrostatic complementarity, and Monte Carlo energy perturbation theory. Computed results were correlated with experimental data (r = 0.93 and 0.86 for S1 and S2, respectively). Simulations on all hSERT available structures with Gibbs free energy estimations (ΔG) revealed a favourable and pervasive dual binding mode for MDMA at S2, i.e., adopting either a 5-HT or an escitalopram-like orientation. Intermediate ligand conformations were identified within the allosteric site and between the two sites, outlining an internalization pathway for MDMA. Among the strongest and more frequent interactions were salt bridges with Glu494 and Asp328, a H-bond with Thr497, a π-π with Phe556, and a cation-π with Arg104. Similitudes and differences with the allosteric binding of 5-HT and antidepressants suggest that MDMA may have a distinctive chemotype. Thus, our models may provide a framework for future virtual screening studies and pharmaceutical design and to develop hSERT allosteric compounds with a unique psychoactive MDMA-like profile.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ángel A. Islas
- Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Estudios de Posgrado, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla 72592, Mexico
- Laboratory of Computational Molecular Simulations, Departamento de Farmacia, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla 72592, Mexico;
- Correspondence:
| | - Thomas Scior
- Laboratory of Computational Molecular Simulations, Departamento de Farmacia, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla 72592, Mexico;
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Dagher M, Perrotta KA, Erwin SA, Hachisuka A, Iyer R, Masmanidis SC, Yang H, Andrews AM. Optogenetic Stimulation of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons Produces Striatal Serotonin Release. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:946-958. [PMID: 35312275 PMCID: PMC9040469 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeting neurons with light-driven opsins is widely used to investigate cell-specific responses. We transfected midbrain dopamine neurons with the excitatory opsin Chrimson. Extracellular basal and stimulated neurotransmitter levels in the dorsal striatum were measured by microdialysis in awake mice. Optical activation of dopamine cell bodies evoked terminal dopamine release in the striatum. Multiplexed analysis of dialysate samples revealed that the evoked dopamine was accompanied by temporally coupled increases in striatal 3-methoxytyramine, an extracellular dopamine metabolite, and in serotonin. We investigated a mechanism for dopamine-serotonin interactions involving striatal dopamine receptors. However, the evoked serotonin associated with optical stimulation of dopamine neurons was not abolished by striatal D1- or D2-like receptor inhibition. Although the mechanisms underlying the coupling of striatal dopamine and serotonin remain unclear, these findings illustrate advantages of multiplexed measurements for uncovering functional interactions between neurotransmitter systems. Furthermore, they suggest that the output of optogenetic manipulations may extend beyond opsin-expressing neuronal populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Merel Dagher
- Molecular Toxicology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Katie A. Perrotta
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Sara A. Erwin
- Molecular Toxicology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Ayaka Hachisuka
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Rahul Iyer
- Department of Electrical Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 94720
| | - Sotiris C. Masmanidis
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Hongyan Yang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, and Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| | - Anne M. Andrews
- Molecular Toxicology Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, and Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
- California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Nair JB, Hakes L, Yazar-Klosinski B, Paisner K. Fully Validated, Multi-Kilogram cGMP Synthesis of MDMA. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:900-907. [PMID: 35036754 PMCID: PMC8756783 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c05520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
MDMA is increasingly used in clinical research, but no cGMP process has yet been reported. We describe here the first fully validated cGMP synthesis of up to 5 kg (≈30 000 patient doses) of MDMA in a four-step process beginning with a noncontrolled starting material. The overall yield was acceptable (41-53%, over four steps), and the chemical purity of the final product was excellent, exceeding 99.9% of the peak area by HPLC in each of the four validation trials. The availability of cGMP-compliant MDMA will facilitate ongoing clinical trials and provide for future therapeutic use, if encouraging results lead to FDA approval.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jay B. Nair
- MAPS
Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC), 3141 Stevens Creek Blvd #40547, San Jose, California 95117, United States
| | - Linda Hakes
- Independent
Consultant for MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, 3141 Stevens Creek Blvd #40547, San Jose, California 95117, United States
| | - Berra Yazar-Klosinski
- Multidisciplinary
Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), 3141 Stevens Creek Blvd #40563, San Jose, California 95117, United States
| | - Kathryn Paisner
- KP2
LLC, 2510 14th Ave., Oakland, California 94606, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sottile RJ, Vida T. A proposed mechanism for the MDMA-mediated extinction of traumatic memories in PTSD patients treated with MDMA-assisted therapy. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:991753. [PMID: 36311515 PMCID: PMC9596814 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.991753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating psychiatric disorder afflicting millions of people around the world. Characterized by severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts, pervasive nightmares, an assortment of somatic symptoms, associations with severe long-term health problems, and an elevated risk of suicide, as much as 40-70% of patients suffer from refractory disease. 3,4-Methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), like classic psychedelics such as psilocybin, have been used to enhance the efficacy of psychotherapy almost since their discovery, but due to their perceived potential for abuse and inclusion on USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) schedule 1, research into the mechanism by which they produce improvements in PTSD symptomology has been limited. Nevertheless, several compelling rationales have been explored, with the pro-social effects of MDMA thought to enhance therapeutic alliance and thus facilitate therapist-assisted trauma processing. This may be insufficient to fully explain the efficacy of MDMA in the treatment of psychiatric illness. Molecular mechanisms such as the MDMA mediated increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) availability in the fear memory learning pathways combined with MDMA's pro-social effects may provide a more nuanced explanation for the therapeutic actions of MDMA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Sottile
- Department of Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| | - Thomas Vida
- Department of Medical Education, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
van de Blaak FL, Dumont GJH. Serotonin transporter availability, neurocognitive function and their correlation in abstinent 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine users. Hum Psychopharmacol 2022; 37:e2811. [PMID: 34506649 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE MDMA or Ecstasy has made a resurgence in popularity and the majority of users consist of teenagers and adolescents. Therefore, it is important to determine whether MDMA causes long-term damage and what this damage entails. There is an ongoing debate about possible neurocognitive changes in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) users related to MDMA's neurotoxic potential. Multiple neuroimaging studies have shown that Ecstasy use leads to lower serotonin transporter (SERT) availability in multiple brain regions. This may express itself in a loss of cognitive functions like memory, attention and executive function. However, there is increasing evidence reporting that MDMA's induced serotonergic adaptations are reversible over time. The question we thus address is whether the recovery of SERT function predicts a recovery of cognitive function. OBJECTIVES This review aims to investigate MDMA's long-term effects on SERT availability and cognitive functioning. METHODS A literature search was performed in PubMed. Studies that investigated the effects of MDMA on both SERT availability and cognitive performance were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS SERT availability positively correlated with time of abstinence, whereas memory performance did not show this correlation, but remained impaired in MDMA users. No significant correlation between SERT availability and memory function was found (r = 0.232, p = 0.581; r = 0.176, p = 0.677). CONCLUSIONS The main findings of this review are that MDMA-use leads to an acute decrease in SERT availability and causes an impairment in cognitive functions, mostly memory. However, SERT availability recovers with sustained abstinence while memory function does not. This suggests that SERT availability is not a biomarker for MDMA-induced cognitive impairment and likely also not for MDMA-induced neurotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Foke L van de Blaak
- Department of Clinical pharmacology, Amsterdam UMC - Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Glenn J H Dumont
- Department of Clinical pharmacology, Amsterdam UMC - Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Fiorentini A, Cantù F, Crisanti C, Cereda G, Oldani L, Brambilla P. Substance-Induced Psychoses: An Updated Literature Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:694863. [PMID: 35002789 PMCID: PMC8732862 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.694863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: On the current psychopharmacological panorama, the variety of substances able to provoke an episode of acute psychosis is rapidly increasing. Such psychotic episodes are classified according to the major category of symptoms: positive, negative, or cognitive psychotic episodes. On one hand, the abuse of methamphetamines, cannabis, and cocaine plays a big role in increasing the incidence of episodes resembling a psychotic disorder. On the other hand, the progress in terms of pharmacodynamics knowledge has led to the synthesis of new drugs, such as cannabinoids and cathinone's, which have rapidly entered into the common pool of abusers' habits. Regarding these newly synthesized substances of abuse, further clinical studies are needed to understand their psychogenic properties. The topic of this review is complicated due to the frequent abuse of psychotomimetic drugs by patients affected by psychotic disorders, a fact that makes it extremely difficult to distinguish between an induced psychosis and a re-exacerbation of a previously diagnosed disorder. Methods: The present narrative review summarizes results from clinical studies, thus investigating the psychotogenic properties of abused substances and the psychotic symptoms they can give rise to. It also discusses the association between substance abuse and psychosis, especially with regards to the differential diagnosis between a primary vs. a substance-induced psychotic disorder. Findings: Our findings support the theory that psychosis due to substance abuse is commonly observed in clinical practice. The propensity to develop psychosis seems to be a function of the severity of use and addiction. Of note, from a phenomenological point of view, it is possible to identify some elements that may help clinicians involved in differential diagnoses between primary and substance-induced psychoses. There remains a striking paucity of information on the outcomes, treatments, and best practices of substance-induced psychotic episodes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Fiorentini
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Filippo Cantù
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Crisanti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Cereda
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucio Oldani
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Brambilla
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Vargas MV, Meyer R, Avanes AA, Rus M, Olson DE. Psychedelics and Other Psychoplastogens for Treating Mental Illness. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:727117. [PMID: 34671279 PMCID: PMC8520991 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.727117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychedelics have inspired new hope for treating brain disorders, as they seem to be unlike any treatments currently available. Not only do they produce sustained therapeutic effects following a single administration, they also appear to have broad therapeutic potential, demonstrating efficacy for treating depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorder, and alcohol use disorder, among others. Psychedelics belong to a more general class of compounds known as psychoplastogens, which robustly promote structural and functional neural plasticity in key circuits relevant to brain health. Here we discuss the importance of structural plasticity in the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases, as well as the evidence demonstrating that psychedelics are among the most effective chemical modulators of neural plasticity studied to date. Furthermore, we provide a theoretical framework with the potential to explain why psychedelic compounds produce long-lasting therapeutic effects across a wide range of brain disorders. Despite their promise as broadly efficacious neurotherapeutics, there are several issues associated with psychedelic-based medicines that drastically limit their clinical scalability. We discuss these challenges and how they might be overcome through the development of non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens. The clinical use of psychedelics and other psychoplastogenic compounds marks a paradigm shift in neuropsychiatry toward therapeutic approaches relying on the selective modulation of neural circuits with small molecule drugs. Psychoplastogen research brings us one step closer to actually curing mental illness by rectifying the underlying pathophysiology of disorders like depression, moving beyond simply treating disease symptoms. However, determining how to most effectively deploy psychoplastogenic medicines at scale will be an important consideration as the field moves forward.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maxemiliano V. Vargas
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Retsina Meyer
- Delix Therapeutics, Inc., Concord, MA, United States
| | - Arabo A. Avanes
- Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Mark Rus
- Delix Therapeutics, Inc., Concord, MA, United States
| | - David E. Olson
- Delix Therapeutics, Inc., Concord, MA, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA, United States
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Islas ÁA, Moreno LG, Scior T. Induced fit, ensemble binding space docking and Monte Carlo simulations of MDMA 'ecstasy' and 3D pharmacophore design of MDMA derivatives on the human serotonin transporter (hSERT). Heliyon 2021; 7:e07784. [PMID: 34458620 PMCID: PMC8379675 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The popular recreational drug MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) has a documented potential as a psychopharmacological clinical and research tool. This is due to its unique ability to promote reprocessing of traumatic memories, empathetic and pro-social states. Although it is established that MDMA exerts its behavioural effects via the serotonin transporter (SERT), the ligand-protein molecular interplay remains elusive. In order to shed light on the binding of MDMA and its primary congeneric entactogens (MDA, MBDB and MDAI), we first combined induced fit with Monte Carlo simulations. The computed interaction energies of the models correlated well with experimental activities (adjR2 = 0.78). Then we carried out 'ensemble binding space docking' on trajectories generated by interpolation of experimentally derived structures of the hSERT from the outward-open, and the occluded, to the inward-open states. This approach revealed low-energy alternative binding modes, suggesting high occupancy of the central site, yet considerable MDMA mobility within it, favouring the paroxetine-like orientation. Finally, we designed a pharmacophore that may be used to recognise hSERT-mediated serotonin releasers and uptake inhibitors of diverse chemical structure, identifying their active conformations and interacting residues. We conclude that the conserved amine-Asp98 ionic and edge-to-face π-π interactions are crucial to the mode of action of MDMA on the hSERT, underscoring the contributions of Tyr95 and gating residues Phe341, Tyr176 and Phe335. Amenable to experimental testing, our modelling may aid the rational design of novel entactogenic compounds and contribute to the understanding of an action mechanism, common and typical of psychotropic agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ángel A Islas
- Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Estudios de Posgrado, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, 4 Sur 303, Centro, 72000 Puebla, Pue., Mexico.,Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico
| | - Laura G Moreno
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico
| | - Thomas Scior
- Laboratory of Computational Molecular Simulations, Departamento de Farmacia, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Waters K. Pharmacologic Similarities and Differences Among Hallucinogens. J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 61 Suppl 2:S100-S113. [PMID: 34396556 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.1917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hallucinogens constitute a unique class of substances that cause changes in the user's thoughts, perceptions, and mood through various mechanisms of action. Although the serotonergic hallucinogens such as lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin, and N,N-dimethyltryptamine have been termed the classical hallucinogens, many hallucinogens elicit their actions through other mechanisms such as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism, opioid receptor agonism, or inhibition of the reuptake of monoamines including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The aim of this article is to compare the pharmacologic similarities and differences among substances within the hallucinogen class and their impact on physical and psychiatric effects. Potential toxicities, including life-threatening and long-term effects, will be reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Waters
- School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Latimer D, Stocker MD, Sayers K, Green J, Kaye AM, Abd-Elsayed A, Cornett EM, Kaye AD, Varrassi G, Viswanath O, Urits I. MDMA to Treat PTSD in Adults. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY BULLETIN 2021; 51:125-149. [PMID: 34421149 PMCID: PMC8374929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has become one of the most common psychiatric diagnosis in the United States specifically within the veteran population. The current treatment options for this debilitating diagnosis include trauma-focused psychotherapies along with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI).1 MDMA has recently been shown as a novel therapeutic agent with promisingly results in the treatment of PTSD. MDMA is a psychoactive compound traditionally categorized as a psychedelic amphetamine that deemed a Schedule I controlled substance in the 1980s. Prior to its status as a controlled substance, it was used by psychotherapists for an array of psychiatric issues. In more recent times, MDMA has resurfaced as a potential therapy for PTSD and the data produced from randomized, controlled trials back the desire for MDMA to be utilized as an effective pharmacologic therapy in conjunction with psychotherapy.2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dustin Latimer
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| | - Michael D Stocker
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| | - Kia Sayers
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| | - Jackson Green
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| | - Adam M Kaye
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| | - Alaa Abd-Elsayed
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| | - Elyse M Cornett
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| | - Alan D Kaye
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| | - Giustino Varrassi
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| | - Omar Viswanath
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| | - Ivan Urits
- Latimer, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine in Baton Rouge. Michael D. Stocker, Kia Sayers, Louisiana State University New Orleans School of Medicine. Green, Visions Adolescent Treatment Center, Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles, CA. Adam M. Kaye, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Stockton, CA. Alaa Abd-Elsayed, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology, Madison, WI. Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA. Varrassi, Paolo Procacci Foundation, Via Tacito 7, Roma, Italy. Viswanath, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ; Creighton University School of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Omaha, NE; Valley Anesthesiology and Pain Consultants-Envision Physician Services, Phoenix, AZ. Ivan Urits, Louisiana State University Shreveport, Department of Anesthesiology, Shreveport, LA; Southcoast Health, Southcoast Health Physicians Group Pain Medicine, Wareham, MA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Dong C, Ly C, Dunlap LE, Vargas MV, Sun J, Hwang IW, Azinfar A, Oh WC, Wetsel WC, Olson DE, Tian L. Psychedelic-inspired drug discovery using an engineered biosensor. Cell 2021; 184:2779-2792.e18. [PMID: 33915107 PMCID: PMC8122087 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ligands can induce G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) to adopt a myriad of conformations, many of which play critical roles in determining the activation of specific signaling cascades associated with distinct functional and behavioral consequences. For example, the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) is the target of classic hallucinogens, atypical antipsychotics, and psychoplastogens. However, currently available methods are inadequate for directly assessing 5-HT2AR conformation both in vitro and in vivo. Here, we developed psychLight, a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor based on the 5-HT2AR structure. PsychLight detects behaviorally relevant serotonin release and correctly predicts the hallucinogenic behavioral effects of structurally similar 5-HT2AR ligands. We further used psychLight to identify a non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analog, which produced rapid-onset and long-lasting antidepressant-like effects after a single administration. The advent of psychLight will enable in vivo detection of serotonin dynamics, early identification of designer drugs of abuse, and the development of 5-HT2AR-dependent non-hallucinogenic therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunyang Dong
- Graduate Program in Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Calvin Ly
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Lee E Dunlap
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Maxemiliano V Vargas
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | - Junqing Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - In-Wook Hwang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Arya Azinfar
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Won Chan Oh
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - William C Wetsel
- Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Cell Biology, and Neurobiology, Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - David E Olson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Court, Davis, CA 95618, USA.
| | - Lin Tian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Court, Davis, CA 95618, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Olson DE. The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics May Not Be Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:563-567. [PMID: 33861218 PMCID: PMC8033607 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Psychedelics represent one of the most promising classes of experimental medicines for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders due to their ability to promote neural plasticity and produce both rapid and sustained therapeutic effects following a single administration. Conventional wisdom holds that peak mystical experiences induced by psychedelics are a critical component of their therapeutic mechanisms of action, though evidence supporting that claim is largely correlational. Here, I present data suggesting that the subjective effects induced by psychedelics may not be necessary to produce long-lasting changes in mood and behavior. Understanding the role of subjective effects in the therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics will have important implications for both basic neuroscience and for increasing patient access to the next generation of medicines developed as a result of psychedelic research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David E. Olson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California,
Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2700 Stockton Blvd, Suite 2102, Sacramento, California 95817, United States
- Center
for Neuroscience, University of California,
Davis, 1544 Newton Court, Davis, California 95618, United States
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Abstract
Ecstasy use is commonly combined with ethanol consumption. While combination drug use in general is correlated with a higher risk for toxicity, the risk of the specific combination of ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)) and ethanol is largely unknown. Therefore, we have reviewed the literature on changes in MDMA pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics due to concurrent ethanol exposure in human, animal and in vitro studies. MDMA pharmacokinetics appear unaffected: the MDMA blood concentration after concurrent exposure to MDMA and ethanol was comparable to lone MDMA exposure in multiple human placebo-controlled studies. In contrast, MDMA pharmacodynamics were affected: locomotor activity increased and body temperature decreased after concurrent exposure to MDMA and ethanol compared to lone MDMA exposure. Importantly, these additional ethanol effects were consistently observed in multiple animal studies. Additional ethanol effects have also been reported on other pharmacodynamic aspects, but are inconclusive due to a low number of studies or due to inconsistent findings. These investigated pharmacodynamic aspects include monoamine brain concentrations, neurological (psychomotor function, memory, anxiety, reinforcing properties), cardiovascular, liver and endocrine effects. Although only a single or a few studies were available investigating these aspects, most studies indicated an aggravation of MDMA-induced effects upon concurrent ethanol exposure. In summary, concurrent ethanol exposure appears to increase the risk for MDMA toxicity. Increased toxicity is due to an aggravation of MDMA pharmacodynamics, while MDMA pharmacokinetics is largely unaffected. Although a significant attenuation of the MDMA-induced increase of body temperature was observed in animal studies, its relevance for human exposure remains unclear.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eefje Vercoulen
- Department of Drug Monitoring and Policy, Trimbos Institute, Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Hondebrink
- Dutch Poisons Information Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Jones NS, Comparin JH. Interpol review of controlled substances 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:608-669. [PMID: 33385148 PMCID: PMC7770462 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in controlled substances from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20Review%20Papers%202019.pdf.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole S. Jones
- RTI International, Applied Justice Research Division, Center for Forensic Sciences, 3040 E. Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 22709-2194, USA
| | - Jeffrey H. Comparin
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Testing and Research Laboratory, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Cameron LP, Nazarian A, Olson DE. Psychedelic Microdosing: Prevalence and Subjective Effects. J Psychoactive Drugs 2020; 52:113-122. [PMID: 31973684 PMCID: PMC7282936 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2020.1718250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Anecdotal reports suggest that the administration of sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelic compounds on a chronic, intermittent schedule - a practice known as psychedelic microdosing - is becoming increasingly popular among young adults due to its purported ability to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety while improving cognitive function and promoting social interaction. Using an anonymous online survey, we collected data from 2347 people to 1) assess the prevalence of psychedelic microdosing and characterize the demographics of microdosers, 2) determine whether microdosers associate the practice with changes in mood, cognitive function, social interaction, or physiology, and 3) investigate frequent motives for discontinuing the practice. Fifty-nine percent of respondents (NT = 2183) reported familiarity with the concept of psychedelic microdosing, with 17% (383 respondents, NT = 2200) having engaged in this practice. Microdosers attributed psychedelic microdosing with improving their mood, decreasing their anxiety, and enhancing their memory, attention, and sociability. The most frequently cited reasons for quitting microdosing (NT = 243) were the risks associated with taking an illegal substance (24.28%) and the difficulty of obtaining psychedelic compounds (22.63%). Overall, our findings suggest that psychedelic microdosing is relatively common and is subjectively associated with a broad spectrum of socio-affective, cognitive, and physical outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay P. Cameron
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Ct, Davis, CA, 95618, USA
| | - Angela Nazarian
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, 267 Cousteau Place, Davis, CA, 95618, USA
| | - David E. Olson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2700 Stockton Blvd, Suite 2102, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Ct, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Corne R, Mongeau R. [Neurotrophic mechanisms of psychedelic therapy]. Biol Aujourdhui 2019; 213:121-129. [PMID: 31829932 DOI: 10.1051/jbio/2019015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs, often referred to as hallucinogens, are quite distinct from other classes of psychotropic drugs. Although the subjective and behavioral effects they induce are quite dramatic, they possess little addictive potential when compared to nicotine, alcohol or opiates. Since the discovery of ketamine antidepressant effects, there has been growing interest for these molecules. Serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are gaining attention as potential treatments for depression and addiction, similarly to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and ibogaine for addiction. Although they possess distinct pharmacological profiles, their kinetics of action are quite similar: the therapeutic effects are felt within the hours following administration, and last well beyond drug elimination by the organism. This strongly suggests the induction of neurogenic and plastic mechanisms, including the involvement of trophic factors. This review will explore the literature dealing with the effects of psychedelics on neurotrophins, as well as the plastic adaptations that they induce, in an attempt to understand their surprising therapeutic potential. We will show that although ketamine and serotonergic psychedelics have affinity for very different receptors (NMDA, 5-HT2A), they ultimately initiate similar plastic adaptations in the prefrontal cortex through the involvement of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We will see that although MDMA uses the same receptors as serotonergic psychedelics to alleviate PTSD symptoms, its effect on BDNF levels seem paradoxical and quite different. Finally, we show how ibogaine could exert its anti-addictive properties through a completely different neurotrophic factor than other psychedelic drugs, the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). While the current literature concerning the psychiatric applications of psychedelic therapy is encouraging, it remains to be determined whether their benefits could be obtained without their psychotomimetic effects, or concerns over potential toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rémi Corne
- CNRS ERL 3649 « Neuroplasticité et thérapies des addictions », UMR-S 1124, Université Paris Descartes, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Raymond Mongeau
- CNRS ERL 3649 « Neuroplasticité et thérapies des addictions », UMR-S 1124, Université Paris Descartes, 4, avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006 Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Oprisan SA, Clementsmith X, Tompa T, Lavin A. Dopamine receptor antagonists effects on low-dimensional attractors of local field potentials in optogenetic mice. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223469. [PMID: 31618234 PMCID: PMC6795423 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of acute cocaine injection or dopamine (DA) receptor antagonists on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) gamma oscillations and their relationship to short term neuroadaptation that may mediate addiction. For this purpose, optogenetically evoked local field potentials (LFPs) in response to a brief 10 ms laser light pulse were recorded from 17 mice. D1-like receptor antagonist SCH 23390 or D2-like receptor antagonist sulpiride, or both, were administered either before or after cocaine. A Euclidian distance-based dendrogram classifier separated the 100 trials for each animal in disjoint clusters. When baseline and DA receptor antagonists trials were combined in a single trial, a minimum of 20% overlap occurred in some dendrogram clusters, which suggests a possible common, invariant, dynamic mechanism shared by both baseline and DA receptor antagonists data. The delay-embedding method of neural activity reconstruction was performed using the correlation time and mutual information to determine the lag/correlation time of LFPs and false nearest neighbors to determine the embedding dimension. We found that DA receptor antagonists applied before cocaine cancels out the effect of cocaine and leaves the lag time distributions at baseline values. On the other hand, cocaine applied after DA receptor antagonists shifts the lag time distributions to longer durations, i.e. increase the correlation time of LFPs. Fourier analysis showed that a reasonable accurate decomposition of the LFP data can be obtained with a relatively small (less than ten) Fourier coefficients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sorinel A. Oprisan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Xandre Clementsmith
- Department of Computer Science, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - Tamas Tompa
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
- Faculty of Healthcare, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Miskolc, Miskolc, Hungary
| | - Antonieta Lavin
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Cameron L, Benson CJ, DeFelice BC, Fiehn O, Olson DE. Chronic, Intermittent Microdoses of the Psychedelic N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Produce Positive Effects on Mood and Anxiety in Rodents. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3261-3270. [PMID: 30829033 PMCID: PMC6639775 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Drugs capable of ameliorating symptoms of depression and anxiety while also improving cognitive function and sociability are highly desirable. Anecdotal reports have suggested that serotonergic psychedelics administered in low doses on a chronic, intermittent schedule, so-called "microdosing", might produce beneficial effects on mood, anxiety, cognition, and social interaction. Here, we test this hypothesis by subjecting male and female Sprague Dawley rats to behavioral testing following the chronic, intermittent administration of low doses of the psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The behavioral and cellular effects of this dosing regimen were distinct from those induced following a single high dose of the drug. We found that chronic, intermittent, low doses of DMT produced an antidepressant-like phenotype and enhanced fear extinction learning without impacting working memory or social interaction. Additionally, male rats treated with DMT on this schedule gained a significant amount of body weight during the course of the study. Taken together, our results suggest that psychedelic microdosing may alleviate symptoms of mood and anxiety disorders, though the potential hazards of this practice warrant further investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay
P. Cameron
- Neuroscience
Graduate Program, University of California,
Davis, 1544 Newton Ct, Davis, California 95618, United States
| | - Charlie J. Benson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California,
Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Brian C. DeFelice
- West
Coast Metabolomics Center, University of
California, Davis, One
Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Oliver Fiehn
- West
Coast Metabolomics Center, University of
California, Davis, One
Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Biochemistry
Department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi-Arabia
| | - David E. Olson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California,
Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Department
of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2700 Stockton Blvd, Suite 2102, Sacramento, California 95817, United States
- Center for
Neuroscience, University of California,
Davis, 1544 Newton Ct, Davis, California 95618, United States
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Sáez-Briones P, Castro-Castillo V, Díaz-Véliz G, Valladares L, Barra R, Hernández A, Cassels BK. Aromatic Bromination Abolishes the Psychomotor Features and Pro-social Responses of MDMA ("Ecstasy") in Rats and Preserves Affinity for the Serotonin Transporter (SERT). Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:157. [PMID: 30873030 PMCID: PMC6403168 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The entactogen MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, “Ecstasy”) exerts its psychotropic effects acting primarily as a substrate of the serotonin transporter (SERT) to induce a non-exocytotic release of serotonin. Nevertheless, the roles of specific positions of the aromatic ring of MDMA associated with the modulation of typical entactogenic effects, using analogs derived from the MDMA template, are still not fully understood. Among many possibilities, aromatic halogenation of the phenylalkylamine moiety may favor distribution to the brain due to increased lipophilicity, and sometimes renders psychotropic substances of high affinity for their molecular targets and high potency in humans. In the present work, a new MDMA analog brominated at C(2) of the aromatic ring (2-Br-4,5-MDMA) has been synthesized and pharmacologically characterized in vitro and in vivo. First, binding competition experiments against the SERT-blocker citalopram were carried out in human platelets and compared with MDMA. Besides, its effects on platelet aggregation were performed in platelet enriched human plasma using collagen as aggregation inductor. Second, as platelets are considered an appropriate peripheral model for estimating central serotonin availability, the functional effects of 2-Br-4,5-MDMA and MDMA on ATP release during human platelet aggregation were evaluated. The results obtained showed that 2-Br-4,5-MDMA exhibits higher affinity for SERT than MDMA and fully abolishes both platelet aggregation and ATP release, resembling the pharmacological profile of citalopram. Subsequent in vivo evaluation in rats at three dose levels showed that 2-Br-4,5-MDMA lacks all key MDMA-like behavioral responses in rats, including hyperlocomotion, enhanced active avoidance conditioning responses and increased social interaction. Taken together, the results obtained are consistent with the notion that 2-Br-4,5-MDMA should not be expected to be an MDMA-like substrate of SERT, indicating that aromatic bromination at C(2) modulates the pharmacodynamic properties of the substrate MDMA, yielding a citalopram-like compound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Patricio Sáez-Briones
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Behavior, Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Vicente Castro-Castillo
- Department of Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gabriela Díaz-Véliz
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Valladares
- Laboratory of Hormones and Receptors, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rafael Barra
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Behavior, Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alejandro Hernández
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bruce K Cassels
- Chemobiodynamics Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Cameron LP, Olson DE. Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT). ACS Chem Neurosci 2018; 9:2344-2357. [PMID: 30036036 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Though relatively obscure, N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an important molecule in psychopharmacology as it is the archetype for all indole-containing serotonergic psychedelics. Its structure can be found embedded within those of better-known molecules such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin. Unlike the latter two compounds, DMT is ubiquitous, being produced by a wide variety of plant and animal species. It is one of the principal psychoactive components of ayahuasca, a tisane made from various plant sources that has been used for centuries. Furthermore, DMT is one of the few psychedelic compounds produced endogenously by mammals, and its biological function in human physiology remains a mystery. In this review, we cover the synthesis of DMT as well as its pharmacology, metabolism, adverse effects, and potential use in medicine. Finally, we discuss the history of DMT in chemical neuroscience and why this underappreciated molecule is so important to the field of psychedelic science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay P. Cameron
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Ct., Davis, California 95618, United States
| | - David E. Olson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, 2700 Stockton Blvd., Suite 2102, Sacramento, California 95817, United States
- Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, 1544 Newton Ct., Davis, California 95618, United States
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Olson DE. Psychoplastogens: A Promising Class of Plasticity-Promoting Neurotherapeutics. J Exp Neurosci 2018; 12:1179069518800508. [PMID: 30262987 PMCID: PMC6149016 DOI: 10.1177/1179069518800508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural plasticity—the ability to change and adapt in response to stimuli—is an essential aspect of healthy brain function and, in principle, can be harnessed to promote recovery from a wide variety of brain disorders. Many neuropsychiatric diseases including mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders arise from an inability to weaken and/or strengthen pathologic and beneficial circuits, respectively, ultimately leading to maladaptive behavioral responses. Thus, compounds capable of facilitating the structural and functional reorganization of neural circuits to produce positive behavioral effects have broad therapeutic potential. Several known drugs and experimental therapeutics have been shown to promote plasticity, but most rely on indirect mechanisms and are slow-acting. Here, I describe psychoplastogens—a relatively new class of fast-acting therapeutics, capable of rapidly promoting structural and functional neural plasticity. Psychoplastogenic compounds include psychedelics, ketamine, and several other recently discovered fast-acting antidepressants. Their use in psychiatry represents a paradigm shift in our approach to treating brain disorders as we focus less on rectifying “chemical imbalances” and place more emphasis on achieving selective modulation of neural circuits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David E Olson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.,Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|