Toward Translatable Biomarkers of Psychedelic-Induced Neuroplasticity.

Olson, David E · Am J Psychiatry · 2025

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Abstract

Numerous preclinical studies have demonstrated that psychedelics promote the growth of cortical neurons in the prefrontal cortex. However, measuring psychedelic-induced structural plasticity in humans has remained a challenge. New advances in positron emission tomography imaging could facilitate the measurement of synaptic proteins in humans following psychedelic administration. Identifying a translatable biomarker of psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity would enable patient stratification and determination of optimal dosing paradigms while also facilitating the discovery of novel compounds that produce similar effects on structural neuroplasticity.