Image of a cortical neuron (gray) expressing 5-HT2ARs (color) in the cell interior

Mechanism of Psychedelic-Induced Neuroplasticity

In a recent publication in Science, the Olson Lab used chemical and molecular tools to elucidate the mechanism of psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity. They found that activation of intracellular 5-HT2A receptors was essential for psychedelics to promote cortical neuron growth. Unlike psychedelics, serotonin is too polar to passively diffuse across cell membranes, and thus, it does not produce the same effects on structural neuroplasticity. Their results have important implications for the development of next-generation antidepressants.

More information at https://www.science.org/stoken/author-tokens/ST-1024/full 

Image of a cortical neuron (gray) expressing 5-HT2ARs (color) in the cell interior
Image of a cortical neuron (gray) expressing 5-HT2ARs (color) in the cell interior