OPEN Foundation

Day: 4 May 2017

Anxiolytic-like effects of noribogaine in zebrafish

May 4, 2017 / Anxiety disorders / PTSD, Iboga / Ibogaine, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Publications / By / , ,

Abstract

Noribogaine is the main psychoactive metabolite of the hallucinogenic drug ibogaine, and is a particularly interesting compound potentially useful to treat dependence and various psychiatric disorders. Here, we report the effects of noribogaine on anxiety and locomotion in zebrafish (Danio rerio), a new promising model organism in neurobehavioral and psychopharmacological research. Adult zebrafish were subjected to the 5min novel tank test (NTT) following an acute, 20-min drug immersion in 1, 5 and 10mg/L noribogaine. Overall, noribogaine produced robust anxiolytic-like behavior in zebrafish (increasing the time spent and transitions to the top half compartment and reducing freezing bouts) without overt effects on fish locomotion. Taken together, these results indicate that noribogaine modulates the components of the acute stress response related to emotionality and anxiety behaviors, implicating this drug as a potentially useful non-sedative anxiolytic agent.
Kalueff, A. V., Kaluyeva, A., & Mailet, E. L. (2017). Anxiolytic-like effects of noribogaine in zebrafish. Behavioural Brain Research, 330, 63-67. 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.05.008
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A single administration of the hallucinogen, 4-acetoxy-dimethyltryptamine, prevents the shift to a drug-dependent state and the expression of withdrawal aversions in rodents

May 4, 2017 / Addiction, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Neuroscience, New substances, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology / By / , , , , ,

Abstract

Despite several studies suggesting the therapeutic use of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors type 2A (5-HT2A) agonists in the treatment of substance use disorders, the neurobiological basis accounting for such effects are still unknown. It has been observed that chronic exposure to drugs of abuse produces molecular and cellular adaptations in ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons, mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These BDNF-induced adaptations in the VTA are associated with the establishment of aversive withdrawal motivation that leads to a drug-dependent state. Growing evidence suggests that 5-HT2A receptor signaling can regulate the expression of BDNF in the brain. In this study, we observed that a single systemic or intra-VTA administration of a 5-HT2A agonist in rats and mice blocks both the aversive conditioned response to drug withdrawal and the mechanism responsible for switching from a drug-naive to a drug-dependent motivational system. Our results suggest that 5-HT2A agonists could be used as therapeutic agents to reverse a drug dependent state, as well as inhibiting the aversive effects produced by drug withdrawal.
Vargas‐Perez, H., Grieder, T. E., Ting‐A‐Kee, R., Maal‐Bared, G., Chwalek, M., & van der Kooy, D. (2017). A single administration of the hallucinogen, 4‐acetoxy‐dimethyltryptamine, prevents the shift to a drug‐dependent state and the expression of withdrawal aversions in rodents. European Journal of Neuroscience. 10.1111/ejn.13572
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A Longitudinal Study of Self-Reported Psychopathology in Beginning Ecstasy and Amphetamine Users: A Third Follow-Up Evaluation

May 4, 2017 / MDMA, Other subjects, Other substances, Papers, Psychology, Publications / By / , , , ,

Abstract

BACKGROUND: It is still unknown whether psychopathological symptoms found in ecstasy and amphetamine users were apparent before the first use or developed subsequent to its use.

OBJECTIVES: The present study presents the third follow-up evaluation of a longitudinal study to assess the nature of the relationship between ecstasy, amphetamine (AMPH) and psychopathology.

METHODS: In this sample, 69 beginning ecstasy and AMPH users were followed over a period of 4 years. To explore different psychopathological dimensions, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised was applied. Use of ecstasy, AMPH, cannabis and was gathered by structured interviews and use of cigarettes by a questionnaire. First, linear mixed models for repeated measures (unstructured covariance matrix) on the nine primary symptoms of the SCL-90-R with a separate model for each symptom category were performed. Second, linear regression analyses with the nine primary symptom categories of the baseline assessment (T0) as predictors and with ecstasy and AMPH use as dependent variables were fitted.

RESULTS: No significant associations between ecstasy, AMPH, and psychopathology were evident. However, a significant two-way interaction between ecstasy and cigarette use at the baseline assessment, as well as a three-way interaction effect between ecstasy, cigarette use, and time on obsessive-compulsive symptoms, were found.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that nicotine may moderate the effect of ecstasy on obsessive-compulsive symptoms. However, no associations between ecstasy, AMPH, and psychopathology have been found. This is one of the few studies, which highlights the role of nicotine in the study of psychopathology in beginning ecstasy and AMPH users.

Wagner, D., Sauder, T., Koester, P., Gouzoulis-Mayfrank, E., & Daumann, J. (2017). A Longitudinal Study of Self-Reported Psychopathology in Beginning Ecstasy and Amphetamine Users: A Third Follow-Up Evaluation. Substance Use & Misuse, 1-8. 10.1080/10826084.2017.1290113
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30 April - Q&A with Rick Strassman

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