In a new study, researchers from the D'Or Institute for Research and Education have identified the changes in signaling pathways associated with neural plasticity, inflammation, and neurodegeneration triggered by a compound from the family of dimethyltryptamine known as 5-MeO-DMT. The work was published today in Scientific Reports.
"For the first time we could describe psychedelic related changes in the molecular functioning of human neural tissue," states Stevens Rehen, Ph.D., the study leader, Professor of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and Head of Research at D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR).
Other drugs that contain DMT have been studied and hold therapeutic potential with possible anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects. However, there has been a lack of knowledge in regards to the molecular pathways that are targeted by psychedelics in the brain.
To investigate the effects of 5-MeO-DMT, the researchers exposed the 3D cultures of neural cells to a single dose of the psychedelic drug. Next, by using mass spectrometry, they identified that 5-MeO-DMT altered the expression of nearly thousands of proteins. The proteins important for synaptic formation and maintenance were upregulated and some of those proteins are known to be associated with learning and memory. They also found a number of proteins involved in inflammation, degeneration and brain lesion were downregulated, showing the potential neuroprotective role for the psychedelic substance.
"The study suggests possible mechanisms by which these substances exert their antidepressant effects that we have been observing in our studies," said coauthor Draulio Araujo, Ph.D.
"Our study reinforces the hidden clinical potential of substances that are under legal restrictions, but which deserve attention of medical and scientific communities", Rehen said.
Image: These are DMT-responsive receptors. Image courtesy of D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR).