Researchers have discovered that a single dose of the psychedelic compound 25CN-NBOH significantly improved cognitive flexibility in mice, with effects lasting up to three weeks post-treatment. The study found that treated mice adapted more quickly in rule-switching tasks, indicating enhanced neuroplasticity in the prefrontal cortex. The findings suggest psychedelics may offer lasting cognitive benefits, potentially revolutionizing treatments for depression, PTSD, and neurodegenerative diseases.
A recent study published in the journal Psychedelics has made a groundbreaking discovery about the potential of psychedelics to improve cognitive flexibility. Researchers at the University of Michigan administered a single dose of 25CN-NBOH, a selective serotonin 2A receptor agonist, to mice and found that it significantly improved their ability to adapt to changing rules.
The study used an innovative automated sequential learning paradigm to measure how effectively mice could adapt to rule reversals. The results showed that the psychedelic-treated mice demonstrated superior adaptability compared to saline controls, with enhanced task efficiency, higher percentages of correct trials, and increased reward acquisition during the reversal phase.
The findings are significant because they demonstrate sustained cognitive benefits persisting long after the immediate effects of the drug have dissipated. This suggests that psychedelics may induce lasting and behaviorally meaningful neuroplasticity changes in the prefrontal cortex.
According to Dr. Omar J. Ahmed, the study’s senior author, “The current study focused on the long-term effects of a single psychedelic dose. A key question is what happens with two, three, or even twenty doses taken over several months.” The researchers are eager to explore this question further and investigate how psychedelics might reshape neural pathways governing flexible thinking.
The study’s results have important implications for therapeutic applications in conditions characterized by cognitive rigidity, including depression, PTSD, and potentially Alzheimer’s disease. The use of psychedelics as a treatment for these conditions is an area of ongoing research, and this study provides valuable insights into their potential benefits.
Overall, the discovery that psychedelics can enhance cognitive flexibility has opened up new possibilities for treating neuropsychiatric disorders. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects and to explore their therapeutic potential in humans.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/psychedelic-neuroplasticity-28698