Psilocybin as a treatment for major depression

该项目的目的是测试裸盖菇素治疗重度抑郁症的疗效。裸盖菇素是一种天然存在的化合物，存在于某些种类的蘑菇中。它在结构上类似于与情绪有关的脑神经递质血清素（大脑血清素水平低与情绪低落有关）。裸盖菇素几个世纪以来一直被用于精神治疗，最近也被用于心理治疗。现代研究表明，单次接触裸盖菇素可以改善心理健康超过1年，减少抑郁症状长达6个月，没有任何不良事件。利用功能性脑成像（fMRI）和静脉注射裸盖菇素，我们最近发现大脑的变化可以解释裸盖菇素对这些积极情绪的影响。在这里，我们提出了一个强有力的，安慰剂对照设计来研究裸盖菇素治疗重度抑郁症的疗效。我们将招募44名重度抑郁症患者，他们将被随机分配到安慰剂组或裸盖菇素组。患者和研究人员都不知道哪些患者属于哪一组（“双盲”）。裸盖菇素可能对那些难以坚持慢性治疗计划的患者特别有益，因为它可能在一次接触后就有效。它也可能对那些持有严格悲观态度的患者特别有益，因为心理学和神经生物学数据表明，它针对的是与习惯性消极思维有关的大脑机制。

The aim of this project is to test the efficacy of psilocybin as a treatment for major depression. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound that is found in some species of mushroom. It is structurally similar to the brain neurotransmitter serotonin - which is implicated in mood (low brain serotonin levels are associated with low mood). Psilocybin has been used for centuries in spiritual healing contexts, and more recently in psychotherapy. Modern research has shown that single exposures to psilocybin can improve psychological well-being for over 1 year and decrease symptoms of depression for up to 6 months, without any adverse events. Using functional brain imaging (fMRI) and intravenous psilocybin, we recently found brain changes that can explain these positive mood effects of psilocybin. Here we propose a well powered, placebo-controlled design to study the efficacy of psilocybin as a treatment for major depression. We will recruit 44 patients with major depression that will be randomly allocated to either a placebo group or a psilocybin group. Neither the patients, nor the research staff will know which patients are in which group ('double-blind'). Psilocybin may be particularly beneficial for patients that struggle to adhere to chronic treatment schedules, as it is potentially effective after just one exposure. It may also be particularly beneficial for patients that hold rigidly pessimistic attitudes, since psychological and neurobiological data suggest that it targets brain mechanisms involved in habitual negative thinking.