Examining Neural Modulatory Effects of Serotonergic Psychedelic Compounds in Relation to Neuroticism

项目摘要/摘要 5-羟色胺受体激动剂(“经典迷幻剂”)最近被描述为 鉴于其对神经结构和功能的选择性调节作用，精神增殖剂。 虽然这种神经调节机制已经在动物模型中得到了很好的证明， 研究人员现在才开始研究它在活着的人脑中的作用。了解流程 涉及对神经结构的选择性和适应性调节，未来可能会催化 对心理和身体健康的重要干预措施，利用大脑的能力 可塑性。本提案利用了一套全面的分子、 功能和心理层面的分析，以调查迷幻是否以及如何迷幻 化合物产生神经可塑性，以及神经调制过程是否是后两者的基础。 人格特质相关区域的功能激活和同步性的急剧变化 在文献中发现神经质和适应性急性后对神经质的影响。长期的 这项研究的目标是了解神经选择性调制的潜在过程 结构和功能。总体目标是确定迷幻化合物是否 用正电子发射断层扫描放射配基指数评价神经可塑性 突触密度和功能磁共振成像的激活和同步性 这些变化是否与神经质的适应性变化是一致的。

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Serotonergic 2A receptor agonists (“classic psychedelics”) have recently been described as psychoplastogens in view of their selective modulatory effects on neural structure and function. Although this neural modulatory mechanism has been well demonstrated in animal models, researchers are only now examining its role in the living human brain. Understanding processes involving selective and adaptive modulation of neural structure may in the future catalyze important interventions into mental and physical health that harness the brain’s capacity for plasticity. The present proposal leverages a comprehensive set of methods at molecular, functional, and psychological levels of analysis to investigate whether and how psychedelic compounds produce neural plasticity, and whether neural modulatory processes underlie post- acute changes in functional activation and synchrony in regions related to the personality trait neuroticism and adaptive post-acute effects on neuroticism found in the literature. The long-term goal of this line of research is to understand processes underlying selective modulation of neural structure and function. The overall objective is to ascertain whether psychedelic compounds produce neural plasticity indexed by Positron Emission Tomography radioligand indices of synaptic density and functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging activation and synchrony, and whether these changes covary with adaptive changes in neuroticism.