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Psilocybin's acute and persistent brain effects: a precision imaging drug trial
Subha Subramanian1, Travis Rick Renau2, Demetrius Perry2
1Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. ssubram5@bidmc.harvard.edu.
Scientific Data
|June 5, 2025
Summary
Precision functional mapping reveals acute and persistent effects of psilocybin (PSIL) and methylphenidate (MTP) on brain networks. This study provides a unique dataset for neuroscientists investigating psychedelic and stimulant impacts on brain function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychopharmacology
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Psilocybin (PSIL) shows therapeutic potential for psychiatric conditions.
- Precision functional mapping (PFM) enhances brain imaging by improving signal-to-noise ratio and effect size through dense, individualized network analysis.
- Understanding the neurobiological effects of PSIL and methylphenidate (MTP) is crucial for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the acute and persistent effects of psilocybin (PSIL) and methylphenidate (MTP) on brain networks using PFM.
- To provide a comprehensive neuroimaging dataset for researchers studying the impact of these substances on brain function.
- To investigate the changes in brain network connectivity following administration of PSIL and MTP.
Main Methods:
- A randomized cross-over study design was employed.
- Seven healthy volunteers underwent extensive baseline, acute (60-90 min post-drug), and longitudinal (up to two weeks) resting-state fMRI (high-resolution multi-echo), task fMRI, structural MRI, and diffusion basis spectral imaging.
- Four participants completed an open-label PSIL replication protocol over six months, alongside subjective experience assessments.
Main Results:
- The study collected a unique, multi-modal neuroimaging dataset detailing acute and persistent effects of PSIL and MTP.
- PFM was utilized to map individual-specific brain networks and assess drug-induced changes.
- Data includes resting-state, task-based, structural, and diffusion imaging, plus subjective measures.
Conclusions:
- This research presents a valuable dataset for exploring the neurobiological underpinnings of psilocybin and methylphenidate.
- The findings facilitate further investigation into the acute and long-term effects of these psychoactive compounds on brain network dynamics.
- The dataset serves as a resource for advancing our understanding of brain function and potential therapeutic applications.
