DC3 –  Identification of EEG and fMRI biomarkers with potential predictive value for psychedelics’ antidepressant effects

Description Psychedelics have emerged as promising candidates for treating psychiatric disorders, particularly treatment-resistant depression. Recent clinical trials have shifted focus toward identifying biomarkers that elucidate the neurobiology of these substances and their sustained positive effects on mood. Given the rapid onset of psychedelic action, identifying baseline biomarkers is critical for predicting therapeutic success and personalizing […]

DC 2 – The effect of psychedelic substances on synaptic transmission and plasticity

Description A common factor of most antidepressant substances is the enhancement of BDNF synthesis and synaptic plasticity, suggested to be instrumental for the antidepressant effect. Psychedelic drugs seem to be particularly potent in enhancing synaptic plasticity, and the effect appears to be long-lasting. In this project we will select a diverse set of psychedelic substances […]

DC1 – The antidepressant efficacy of psilocybin from a pathophysiological perspective

Description The pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by the loss of synaptic connections in cortical and limbic regions involved in mood regulation. Volumetric reductions in these brain structures have been associated with a more persistent clinical course, including treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Psilocybin has been introduced as a potentially efficacious antidepressant agent in […]