Neuroimaging & Brain Measures
Recent advances in neuroimaging have shed light on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the effects of psychedelics, particularly in the treatment of mental health disorders such as depression and PTSD. Studies involving compounds like psilocybin and MDMA have demonstrated significant changes in brain activity associated with therapeutic outcomes.
Key Insights
- 1
Studies have indicated that psilocybin can lead to significant improvements in depressive symptoms shortly after administration, with effects persisting for several months.
- 2
Neuroimaging findings suggest that psychedelics can promote neuroplasticity, potentially aiding in the healing process of traumatised brain networks.
- 3
MDMA-assisted therapy has shown promising results in treating PTSD, supported by neuroimaging evidence of changes in brain connectivity post-treatment.
What is Neuroimaging & Brain Measures?
Neuroimaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), are employed to observe brain activity and connectivity patterns in various psychological disorders.
In conditions such as major depressive disorder (MDD), neuroimaging can reveal alterations in brain circuits that regulate mood, often associated with disruptions in neurotransmitter systems. Symptoms may include persistent sadness, loss of interest, and cognitive impairments.
The application of psychedelics in therapeutic settings aims to restore normal functioning in these brain circuits, influencing emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility.
Current Treatments
Current standard treatments for MDD and PTSD include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), psychotherapy, and in some cases, ketamine infusions. However, these treatments do not work for everyone, pointing to the need for novel therapeutic approaches.
Psychedelic Effect Matrix
Compound efficacy and evidence levels for Neuroimaging & Brain Measures.
| Compound | Magnitude | Evidence | Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybin Numerous studies confirm psilocybin's efficacy in reducing symptoms of depression and enhancing neuroplasticity. | Large | High | Consistent |
| MDMA Robust evidence supports MDMA's effectiveness in treating PTSD, showing changes in emotional processing regions in the brain. | Large | High | Consistent |
| Ibogaine Emerging data suggest potential benefits for addiction but require more consistent clinical evidence. | Medium | Moderate | Inconsistent |
Psilocybin and Neuroimaging & Brain Measures
Psilocybin has been shown to induce significant changes in brain activity, particularly in areas associated with emotion regulation and self-referential thinking. Neuroimaging studies reveal that psilocybin can enhance functional connectivity between the default mode network and other key brain regions, which is believed to contribute to its therapeutic effects, including symptom relief in patients with MDD.
MDMA and Neuroimaging & Brain Measures
MDMA acts primarily by releasing large amounts of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, resulting in heightened emotional engagement and empathy. Neuroimaging studies highlight MDMA's capacity to decrease activity in the amygdala, a region involved in fear processing, while promoting connectivity in regions related to emotional regulation and attachment.
Clinical Outlook
The field of psychedelic research is rapidly advancing, with ongoing clinical trials exploring the use of compounds like psilocybin and MDMA in combination with therapy. As we gather more neuroimaging data, the understanding of how these substances alter brain functioning will contribute to more effective and targeted treatments for mental health disorders.
Industrial Landscape
Key industry players include organisations such as MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and The Beckley Foundation, which advocate for psychedelic science and its integration into mainstream healthcare.
Quick Indicators
Organisations
Search →Janssen Research & Development
Janssen Research & Development is the pharmaceutical research and development arm of Johnson & Johnson (J&J). Operating under J&J's Innovative Medicine division, Janssen has sponsored clinical trials into ketamine-derived compounds, including esketamine (Spravato), the first FDA-approved psychedelic-adjacent treatment for treatment-resistant depression.
Algernon Pharmaceuticals
Algernon Pharmaceuticals (also known as Algernon Health / Algernon NeuroScience) is the first company in the world to test DMT as an emergent treatment for ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury. Their lead candidate AP-188 uses sub-hallucinogenic IV DMT to promote neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. Phase 1 completed at the Centre for Human Drug Research in Leiden; Phase 2a stroke trial planned.
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University is a public land-grant research university based in Columbus, Ohio, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs and conducting research across many fields. It was founded as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College and serves as a major educational and economic institution in Ohio.
COMPASS Pathways
COMPASS Pathways is a UK-listed biopharmaceutical company developing COMP360 synthetic psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression, with two successful Phase 3 trials making it the leading candidate for the first regulatory approval of a classic psychedelic medicine.
Diamond Therapeutics
Diamond Therapeutics is a private Canadian clinical-stage company pioneering sub-perceptual (non-hallucinogenic) psilocybin therapy. Their approach focuses on low-dose psilocybin that does not produce psychedelic experiences, enabling at-home outpatient administration — a differentiated strategy from the clinic-based, high-dose psychedelic-assisted therapy model. Founded in 2018 by CEO Judith Blumstock, Diamond completed a Phase 1 single ascending dose study in healthy volunteers (n=56, 7 cohorts, December 2022) establishing a safe non-hallucinogenic dose range. Their Phase 2a GAD programme received Health Canada approval in January 2023 — the first Health Canada NOL for a psychedelic trial in GAD — and enrolled first patients at Kingston Health Sciences Centre in 2025 in the first-ever at-home microdose psilocybin study. A parallel FDA-authorized Phase 2 demoralization trial is also underway at UAB. Diamond is funded by private investors and non-dilutive public grants, including a $1.1M+ CQDM/Brain Canada drug discovery consortium launched in May 2025.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
U.S. federal institute setting addiction-research priorities and portfolios, including psychedelic-related investigations.
MycoMedica Life Sciences
MycoMedica Life Sciences PBC is a public benefit corporation developing low-dose psilocybin medicines for psychiatric and neurological disorders. Their lead candidate MLS101 is in Phase 1 clinical development, with PMDD as the lead indication and OUD and OCD as additional targets. Based in Shelton, Washington.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
U.S. federal institute defining mental-health research agendas and evidence-generation priorities including psychedelic-relevant studies.
Resilient Pharmaceuticals
Resilient Pharmaceuticals (formerly Lykos Therapeutics, formerly MAPS PBC) is a US-based public benefit corporation developing MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. It was founded in 2014 by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) as a commercial spinout to carry MAPS’ three decades of MDMA research through late-stage trials and regulatory approval. After completing two Phase 3 trials and filing an NDA in 2024, the FDA issued a Complete Response Letter (CRL) in August 2024, citing concerns about functional unblinding, durability of response, safety reporting at two trial sites, and the challenge of blinding psychedelic studies. The CRL requested a third Phase 3 trial. Following the rejection, the company laid off approximately 75% of staff. In May 2025, billionaire investors Antonio Gracias (Gracias Foundation) and Sir Christopher Hohn (TCI Fund) led a $50 million Series B recapitalisation, installing new leadership: CEO Mike Burke and CMO Javier Muniz. Rick Doblin, MAPS’ founder, remains supportive of the new direction. The company rebranded from Lykos Therapeutics to Resilient Pharmaceuticals on 28 August 2025, and continues to negotiate a path to FDA approval for MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.
University of Oslo
The Psykedelika-gruppen at the University of Oslo brings together researchers studying the recreational and therapeutic uses of psychedelics. Their projects include surveys on psychedelic use and clinical studies on MDMA for treating depression.
MAPS
Nonprofit organizer and host of the Psychedelic Science conference series, alongside broader educational and policy programming.
Filament Health
Clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug development company with publicly announced Nagoya Protocol-compliant iboga import activity from Gabon for R&D and potential therapeutic development.
People
Search →Federico Cavanna
Researcher in psychedelic science / neuroscientific researcher (exact current title not confidently verified)
He is a coauthor on multiple widely cited studies on psilocybin microdosing, DMT, and psychedelic use, helping characterize subjective, behavioral, and cognitive effects of psychedelics.
Robin Murphy
Researcher at the University of Auckland School of Pharmacy
She is a coauthor on multiple human psychedelic studies spanning LSD microdosing, sleep, and psilocybin/escitalopram comparisons, making her part of the team contributing to the modern evidence base for psychedelic medicine.
Hartej Gill
Researcher in mood disorders psychopharmacology at the University of Toronto / University Health Network
Notable for coauthoring multiple reviews and meta-analyses on ketamine, esketamine, suicidality, cognition, and psychedelic drug trials in psychiatric research.
Eduardo Schenberg
Neuroscientist and founder/director of Instituto Phaneros
A leading Brazilian psychedelic researcher known for clinical and translational work on ayahuasca, ibogaine, MDMA, and ethics/policy in psychedelic medicine.
Attila Szabo
Researcher in psychoneuroimmunology and psychedelic science; affiliated with the University of Oslo
He is a notable contributor to psychedelic immunology research, including widely cited work on DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, psilocybin, and immune modulation.
Jeanine Kamphuis
Psychiatrist and researcher at the Department for Mood Disorders, University Hospital Groningen (UMCG)
She studies ketamine, esketamine, and classic psychedelics for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders, including depression, and is a coauthor on multiple psychedelic/ketamine reviews and clinical studies.
Kayla Teopiz
Researcher in psychiatry and ketamine/psychedelic medicine research; likely affiliated with the University of Toronto/Trillium Health Partners research network
Teopiz coauthors multiple systematic reviews and clinical studies on ketamine, esketamine, and psilocybin in depression and suicidality, helping synthesize the evidence base for psychedelic and glutamatergic treatments in psychiatry.
Jolien Veraart
Psychiatrist and PhD researcher at the University Medical Center Groningen / University of Groningen
She is a leading clinical researcher on ketamine and oral esketamine for treatment-resistant depression, including safety, efficacy, and real-world implementation.
Kate Godfrey
Research Associate at Imperial College London’s Centre for Psychedelic Research
Kate Godfrey is notable for contributing to leading human psychedelic research on microdosing, neuroimaging, and neuroplasticity at Imperial College London.
Erich Studerus
Psychologist and Scientific Director at fepsy Basel; Lecturer at FHNW
He is a recurring author on influential human psychedelic studies, especially on psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ayahuasca effects and predictors of response.
Joshua Di Vincenzo
MSc researcher / clinical research staff member at the University Health Network and University of Toronto
He coauthors multiple systematic reviews and real-world studies on ketamine for treatment-resistant depression, making him a visible contributor to the evidence base on psychedelic-adjacent psychiatric therapeutics.
Frederick Sundram
Associate Professor and Deputy Head of the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland
He is a psychiatrist and clinical researcher contributing to psychedelic and novel-antidepressant studies, including LSD microdosing and ketamine/depression research.
Connected Evidence
The latest clinical data and verified academic findings associated with Neuroimaging & Brain Measures.