A recent study has found that a classic psychedelic drug, similar to LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline, activates a specific cell type in the brain that silences other neighboring neurons. This discovery sheds light on how such drugs are able to reduce anxiety. The psychedelic drug in question, DOI, was found to lessen anxiety in mice and rats by activating the ventral hippocampus and fast-spiking interneurons within that region. This new understanding of the neurobiology involved in psychedelic-induced relief of anxiety could lead to the development of better drugs that target these pathways.
The study, published in the journal Neuron, was led by Alex Kwan, an associate professor of biomedical engineering at Cornell University. According to Kwan, prior to this study, it was not known which brain areas and cell types were involved in the suppression of anxiety by psychedelics. By identifying the specific pathway in the ventral hippocampus that is activated by DOI, researchers hope to uncover new possibilities for designing psychedelic-inspired drugs that target anxiety without causing hallucinations.
The ventral hippocampus is a key brain structure involved in social memory, emotion, and affect. The activation of this region by DOI does not appear to induce the hallucinations typically associated with psychedelics. This suggests that the therapeutic effects of psychedelics, including their ability to reduce PTSD, depression, and anxiety, may be isolated within specific brain circuits. This finding paves the way for the development of drugs that mimic the therapeutic effects of psychedelics without the unwanted side effects.
Vidita Vaidya, a senior professor of biological sciences at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, served as the corresponding author of the study. She emphasizes that understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying psychedelic-induced anxiety relief is crucial for designing more targeted and effective drugs. By pinpointing the specific cellular triggers for anxiety reduction, researchers can begin to develop drugs that selectively target these pathways while avoiding the potent hallucinatory effects associated with traditional psychedelics.
Previous research has shown that abnormal hyperactivity in the ventral hippocampus occurs when an animal is in an anxious state. This hyperactivity involves neurons that communicate with the amygdala, a key brain region involved in emotional processing. The psychedelic drug DOI appears to work by silencing some of these hyperactive neurons, thereby reducing anxiety levels. By targeting this specific cellular pathway, researchers hope to develop novel drugs that can effectively alleviate anxiety without inducing hallucinatory effects.
The study represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. By identifying the specific brain regions and cell types involved in anxiety reduction, researchers have laid the groundwork for the development of new drugs that target anxiety disorders. By focusing on the cellular triggers for anxiety relief, scientists hope to design more precise and efficient drugs that harness the therapeutic potential of psychedelics while minimizing undesirable side effects.