Isolation of psychedelic-responsive neurons underlying anxiolytic [anxiety] behavioral states
…performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing in psychedelic-activated neurons in mouse medial prefrontal cortex. The psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), a 5HT2A receptor agonist with anxiolytic-like effects in mice, activated a specific subset of neurons in this brain region.
Equipped with a fluorescent map of the neurons activated by DOI, the team [David E. Olson, et. al]… used optogenetics, or light, to reactivate those neurons. When optogenetically reactivated, [a technique that uses light to control cellular functions, employs natural and engineered photoreceptors, mostly of microbial origin, to be genetically introduced into the cells of interest] these neurons reproduced the anxiolytic effect of DOI without causing symptoms associated with hallucinogenic-like events in mice.
Original Article (Science):
Isolation of psychedelic-responsive neurons underlying anxiolytic behavioral states & Anti-anxiety and hallucination-like effects of psychedelics mediated by distinct neural circuits
Artwork Fair Use: Mateus S. Figueiredo
