Psilocybin for disorders of consciousness: A case-report study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychopharmacology
• Neurology

Background:

• Disorders of consciousness (DoC) post-coma present significant therapeutic challenges.
• Psychedelics, known to increase brain activity complexity in healthy individuals, are being explored for novel neurological applications.
• Previous research has not investigated psychedelic use in DoC patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first administration of psilocybin to a patient with a minimally conscious state plus.
• To assess the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of psilocybin in a DoC patient.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing the administration of psilocybin (a 5-HT2A receptor agonist).
• Evaluation of behavioral changes using validated scales.
• Neurophysiological monitoring using electroencephalography (EEG) to measure brain complexity (Lempel-Ziv complexity index) and periodic rhythms.

Main Results:

• No significant increase in overt behavioral repertoire was observed based on validated scales.
• Emergence of novel spontaneous behaviors not previously documented in the patient.
• Demonstrated increase in Lempel-Ziv complexity index, indicating heightened brain complexity, alongside alterations in underlying brain rhythms.

Conclusions:

• This case report is the first to document the use of a classic psychedelic for post-comatose DoC.
• Findings suggest psilocybin may influence brain complexity and consciousness in DoC.
• Contributes to ongoing research into psychedelics as a potential therapeutic tool in neurology and understanding consciousness.