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Frontiers in Neuroscience

17 Papers Indexed in Blossom

Published Papers

Open Accessindividual

Inflammatory biomarker outcomes associated with MDMA-assisted therapy: an open-label exploratory study

This open-label exploratory study (n=23) examined inflammatory biomarkers in Veterans with PTSD during MDMA-assisted group therapy and found small changes in interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor alpha and C-reactive protein. Higher baseline inflammation was linked with worse PTSD symptoms, and changes in interleukin-6 were related to symptom improvement.

Published
Journal
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Authors
Kachmarik, J. E., Loftis, J. M., Stauffer, C. S.
Open Accessindividual

Methylone is a rapid-acting neuroplastogen with less off-target activity than MDMA

Using in vitro receptor profiling and rat RNA‑seq, the authors show methylone is a monoamine uptake inhibitor/releaser that rapidly upregulates neuroplasticity‑related genes in frontal cortex and regulates myelin‑related genes in the amygdala. Unlike MDMA, methylone showed no off‑target activity across 168 GPCRs, indicating greater specificity and supporting its potential as a PTSD treatment.

Published
Journal
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Authors
Schmidt, E. F., Warner-Schmidt, J., Stogniew, M., Mandell, B., Rowland, R. S., Kelmendi, B.
Open Accessmeta

The ego in psychedelic drug action - ego defenses, ego boundaries, and the therapeutic role of regression

This review (2023) focuses on the role of the ego in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAT), particularly through a psychodynamic lens. It argues that psychedelics induce regressed states of the ego, allowing for emotional integration of early life events that have shaped a person's character and defence mechanisms. The paper posits that for lasting change, PAT must target the characterological core of the ego's habitual patterns, and it suggests that this psycholytic approach is compatible with other forms of PAT like third-wave cognitive behavioural approaches (CBT/ACT).

Published
Journal
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Authors
Buchborn, T., Kettner, H., Kartner, L., Meinhardt, M. W.
Open Accessindividual

Cortical structural differences following repeated ayahuasca use hold molecular signatures

Using 7 T MRI and morphometric similarity networks in 24 Santo Daime members and matched controls, repeated ayahuasca use was associated with sensorimotor structural differentiation and transmodal de-differentiation across the cortex. These macroscale cortical remodellings spatially correlated with dysregulation of 5‑HT2A and other psychedelic-target genes, and with altered expression of transcription factors and immediate early genes implicated in psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity, suggesting molecular mechanisms scale up to whole-brain organisation.

Published
Journal
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Authors
Mallaroni, P., Mason, N. L., Kloft, L., Reckweg, J., van Oorsouw, K., Ramaekers, J. G.
Open Accessindividual

Functional connectivity of the amygdala and the antidepressant and antisuicidal effects of repeated ketamine infusions in major depressive disorder

In 39 patients with major depressive disorder treated with six subanesthetic ketamine infusions, increased resting-state functional connectivity between the left amygdala and left medial superior frontal gyrus after treatment correlated with reduction in depressive symptoms, and baseline connectivity between the bilateral amygdalae and the right putamen predicted antidepressant and antisuicidal response (AUCs 0.739 and 0.827).

Published
Journal
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Authors
Wang, C., Lan, X-F., Zhou, Y.
Open Accessmeta

Psychotherapeutic and neurobiological processes associated with ayahuasca: A proposed model and implications for therapeutic use

This theory-building article (2023) proposes a model of psychotherapeutic processes associated with ayahuasca consumption. It identifies five key effects: somatic effects, introspection and emotional processing, increased self-connection, increased spiritual connection, and gaining of insights and new perspectives.

Published
Journal
Frontiers in Neuroscience
Authors
Perkins, D., Ruffell, S. G. D., day, K., Rubiano, D. P., Sarris, J.

Quick Facts

Papers Indexed
17
h-Index
170
Open Access
Yes
Publisher
Frontiers Media
Country
Switzerland
Website
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