Psychedelics produce their long-lasting antidepressant-like effects through functional plasticity

DRA lecture held by Professor Charles Nichols, LSU Health, Louisiana State University, USA

We are delighted to welcome Professor Charles D. Nichols from Louisiana State University, an internationally recognized expert in serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor pharmacology and psychedelic neuroscience. His pioneering research has advanced our understanding of how serotonergic receptors influence brain function and mediate the effects of psychedelic compounds.

Description: Using rat models of depression, we show that the psychedelics psilocybin and 25CN-NBOH produce persistent antidepressant-like effects. Examination of the brains of these animals revealed that at ~100 days after a single administration of drug, properties of synaptic physiology are altered without measurable changes in structural plasticity in the mPFC. Furthermore, psilocybin and 25CN-NBOH have overlapping but different effects on synaptic electrophysiological properties. Interestingly, pre-administration of the benzodiazepine lorazepam completely blocks the antidepressant-like effects of psilocybin. 

Join us for an exciting seminar exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying 5-HT_2A receptor signaling and their implications for neuroscience and pharmacology.

The lecture is organised on behalf of the graduate programme in pharmaceutical sciences, Drug Research Academy, by Associate Professor Kristi A. Kohlmeier, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen.

The DRA lecture is free of charge and open for attendance by all interested parties. It is not necessary to pre-register.