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Psilocybin and the glutamatergic pathway: implications for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases.

Pharmacological reports : PR
December 1, 2024
Izabela Szpręgiel et al. (2 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewMolecular Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to discuss psilocybin's impact on glutamatergic neurotransmission and its therapeutic potential for depression and other nervous system disorders.

Results Summary

Psilocybin acts as a 5-HT2A receptor agonist, increasing glutamate release in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, which enhances GABAergic interneuron activity and may promote antidepressant effects. It also appears to influence neuroplasticity via the glutamatergic pathway.

Population

Not specified (clinical and preclinical studies referenced).

Effective Dosage

Not specified.

Duration

Not specified.

Interactions

None mentioned.

Extracted Claims (5)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
psilocybin
decrease
depression
clinical and preclinical studies
-
can be used as a fast-acting antidepressant
#1
psilocybin
increase
glutamate (GLU) extracellular levels
cortical pyramidal cells
-
exerted a significant effect on
#2
Increased GLU release from pyramidal cells in the prefrontal cortex
increase
γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons
-
-
results in increased activity of
#3
Increased GLU release from pyramidal cells in the prefrontal cortex
increase
the GABA neurotransmitter
-
-
results in increased release of
#4
psilocybin
increase
neuroplasticity
-
-
seems to participate in the process of
#5
Abstract

In recent decades, psilocybin has gained attention as a potential drug for several mental disorders. Clinical and preclinical studies have provided evidence that psilocybin can be used as a fast-acting antidepressant. However, the exact mechanisms of action of psilocybin have not been clearly defined. Data show that psilocybin as an agonist of 5-HT2A receptors located in cortical pyramidal cells exerted a significant effect on glutamate (GLU) extracellular levels in both the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Increased GLU release from pyramidal cells in the prefrontal cortex results in increased activity of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons and, consequently, increased release of the GABA neurotransmitter. It seems that this mechanism appears to promote the antidepressant effects of psilocybin. By interacting with the glutamatergic pathway, psilocybin seems to participate also in the process of neuroplasticity. Therefore, the aim of this mini-review is to discuss the available literature data indicating the impact of psilocybin on glutamatergic neurotransmission and its therapeutic effects in the treatment of depression and other diseases of the nervous system.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansPsilocybinAnimalsGlutamic AcidMental DisordersSynaptic TransmissionAntidepressive AgentsHallucinogensNeuronal Plasticity
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score1.30
Normalized Score0.66
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