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Psilocybin reduces grooming in the SAPAP3 knockout mouse model of compulsive behaviour.

Neuropharmacology
January 1, 2025
James J Gattuso et al. (4 authors)
Journal ArticleAnimal Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to investigate the effects of acute psilocybin administration on compulsive-like behaviors in SAPAP3 knockout mice, a model for obsessive-compulsive and related disorders.

Results Summary

Acute psilocybin administration led to enduring reductions in compulsive behavior in male SAPAP3 KO mice and reduced grooming behavior in female WT and SAPAP3 KO mice, with effects lasting up to 1 week post-injection. Psilocybin increased locomotion in WT mice but not in KO mice, while the hallucinogenic-like head-twitch response was observed in both genotypes.

Population

Male and female SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermates.

Effective Dosage

1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (single dose).

Duration

Effects assessed at 1, 3, and 8 days post-injection.

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
psilocybin
no change
anxiety-like behaviours
male and female SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mice
-
did not have any effect on
#1
acute psilocybin administration
decrease
compulsive behaviour
male SAPAP3 KO mice
-
led to enduring reductions in
#2
psilocybin
decrease
grooming behaviour
female wild-type (WT) and SAPAP3 KO mice
-
reduced
#3
psilocybin
increase
locomotion
WT littermates
-
increased
#4
psilocybin
no change
locomotion
SAPAP3 KO mice
-
not increased
#5
acute psilocybin
increase
head-twitch response
both genotypes
-
typical head-twitch response following
#6
acute psilocybin
decrease
compulsive-like behaviours
-
up to 1 week after a single injection
may have potential to reduce
#7
Abstract

Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic compound which shows promise for treating compulsive behaviours. This is particularly pertinent as compulsive disorders require research into new pharmacological treatment options as the current frontline treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, require chronic administration, have significant side effects, and leave almost half of the clinical population refractory to treatment. In this study, we investigated psilocybin administration in male and female SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mice, a well-validated mouse model of obsessive compulsive and related disorders. We assessed the effects of acute psilocybin (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) administration on head twitch and locomotor behaviour as well as anxiety- and compulsive-like behaviours at multiple time-points (1, 3 and 8 days post-injection). While psilocybin did not have any effect on anxiety-like behaviours, we revealed that acute psilocybin administration led to enduring reductions in compulsive behaviour in male SAPAP3 KO mice and reduced grooming behaviour in female wild-type (WT) and SAPAP3 KO mice. We also found that psilocybin increased locomotion in WT littermates but not in SAPAP3 KO mice, suggesting in vivo serotonergic dysfunctions in KO animals. On the other hand, the typical head-twitch response following acute psilocybin (confirming its hallucinogenic-like effect at this dose) was observed in both genotypes. Our novel findings suggest that acute psilocybin may have potential to reduce compulsive-like behaviours (up to 1 week after a single injection). Our study can inform future research directions as well as supporting the utility of psilocybin as a novel treatment option for compulsive disorders.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
AnimalsMice, KnockoutMaleFemaleGroomingCompulsive BehaviorPsilocybinHallucinogensMiceDisease Models, AnimalNerve Tissue ProteinsLocomotionMice, Inbred C57BLAmidohydrolasesAnxiety
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy75/10
Quality80/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations1
Citations/Year1.0
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.09
Normalized Score0.66
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