Chronic intermittent exposure to ayahuasca during aging does not affect memory in mice

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Ethnobotany

Background:

• Ayahuasca, a beverage from *Banisteriopsis caapi* and *Psychotria viridis*, is increasingly used globally, including by older adults.
• Aging is associated with cognitive decline, and the effects of ayahuasca on memory are debated, with potential neuroprotective or neurotoxic impacts.
• Animal models offer a controlled environment to study ayahuasca's behavioral effects, independent of ritualistic use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of chronic ayahuasca exposure on spatial reference and habituation memory in aging mice.
• To assess how long-term ayahuasca consumption influences learning, memory, and anxiety-related behaviors during the aging process.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-eight male C57BL/6 mice (6 months old) received oral ayahuasca or water (1.5 mL/kg) twice weekly for 12 months.
• Behavioral testing included the Morris water maze (MWM) for spatial memory, and open field and elevated plus maze (EPM) for habituation, locomotor activity, and anxiety.
• Tests were conducted before and after the 12-month treatment period to evaluate aging and ayahuasca's influence.

Main Results:

• Aging mice exhibited impaired spatial memory recall and reduced habituation to the open field, alongside decreased locomotor activity.
• Anxiety parameters remained unchanged in aging mice.
• Chronic ayahuasca treatment did not significantly alter any of the observed aging-related changes in memory, locomotion, or anxiety.

Conclusions:

• Chronic ayahuasca exposure over 12 months did not affect spatial reference memory or habituation in aging mice.
• The findings suggest that ayahuasca does not exacerbate or ameliorate age-related cognitive and behavioral changes in this animal model.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term neurological impacts of ayahuasca in aging populations.