Chemical Actions and Uses Commons^™

Brain Connectivity Pattern Changes Associated With Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, Prince Patel, Samrat Gollapudi, Brian Joseph Mathew, Bhaumik Patel

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has shown promising therapeutic benefits for various psychiatric disorders, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of psychedelics on brain connectivity patterns using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar databases using relevant keywords related to psychedelics, connectivity, therapy, and fMRI. Only studies involving major psychedelic compounds (LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca) and measuring outcomes via fMRI were included.

The findings from the reviewed studies suggest that psychedelics induce acute disruptions in normal large-scale brain network patterns, leading to a compromised modular but …

The Impact Of Vitamin Supplementation (D, B12, B9) On Behaviors Associated With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rohan Mehra

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: One in 36 children in the United States are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Although heritability of the condition ranges from 40 to 80%, other factors such as vitamin levels, may have a significant impact on the risk of development. These vitamins include D, B12, and B9.

Purpose: To assess the impact vitamin supplementation has on behaviors associated with ASD, and to determine which specific aspects of ASD may be improved with vitamin supplementation.

Methods: A literature review was performed. The search was utilized PubMed, JSTOR and Web of Science. Keyword strings included: “Vitamin D B12 B9 folate …

The Role Of Alpha-2 Agonists For Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In Children: A Review, Elisa E. Neuchat, Brooke E. Bocklud, Kali Kingsley, William T. Barham, Patrick M. Luther, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Sahar Shekoohi, Elyse M. Cornett, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, characterized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which is marked by symptoms such as inappropriate levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that can affect academic, social, and personal functioning in children and adolescents. This review summarizes clinical trials demonstrating the effectiveness of Alpha-2 agonists in reducing symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children with ADHD. Studies were identified through a systematic search of PubMed and Cochrane databases. However, these medications’ long-term safety and efficacy remain uncertain, with a lack …

Preclinical Perspectives On The Mechanisms Underlying The Therapeutic Actions Of Psilocybin In Psychiatric Disorders, Andreas B. Wulff, Charles D. Nichols, Scott M. Thompson

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Psychedelic compounds have shown extraordinary potential in treating a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders. Psilocybin, for example, has now been shown in several clinical trials to induce a rapid (within days) and persistent (3–12 months) improvement in human treatment-resistant depression and other neuropsychiatric conditions. Here we review the preclinical models and experimental approaches that have been used to study the neurobiological actions of psychedelic drugs. We further summarize the insights these studies have provided into the possible mechanisms underlying the induction of their therapeutic actions, including the receptors to which psychedelics bind and the second messenger signaling cascades that they …

Effects Of The Selective Gsk3b Inhibitor, Tideglusib, On Ethanol Consumption, Anxiety-Like Behavior, Taste Preference, And Downstream Proteins, Sam Gottlieb, Douglas Bledsoe, Jessica L. Maltman, Alanna Morgan, Jennifer T. Wolstenholme, Michael F. Miles

Graduate Research Posters

Background: We have shown modulations in glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B) abundance or activity regulate ethanol consumption, suggesting potential as a therapeutic target for alcohol use disorder (AUD). Here we report the GSK3B inhibitor tideglusib’s actions on ethanol consumption, basal behaviors, and modulation of GSK3B targets.

Methods: C57BL/6J males and females received i.g. 200mg/kg tideglusib, except drinking-in-the-dark (males;100mg/kg i.p.). Drinking-in-the-dark (DID): Mice given 20% ethanol 4-hours, 4-days/week x 3 weeks and then i.p. tideglusib or vehicle x 4 days in a Latin Square design with ethanol consumption measured daily. Light/Dark Box: Mice gavaged with tideglusib or vehicle …

Pharmacologic And Clinical Considerations Of Nalmefene, A Long Duration Opioid Antagonist, In Opioid Overdose., Amber N. Edinoff, Catherine A. Nix, Tanner D. Reed, Elizabeth M. Bozner, Mark R. Alvarez, Mitchell C. Fuller, Fatimah Anwar, Elyse M. Cornett, Adam M. Kaye, Alan D. Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Measuring The Effects Of Lobinaline-N-Bioxide (419) On Alcohol Consumption, Nicotine Locomotor Sensitization, And Conditioned Place Preference In Mice And Rats, Cocanut M. Suhail

Theses and Dissertations--Medical Sciences

Objective: Novel drug 419 was examined to see the effect it has in vivo mice and rats on alcohol consumption, nicotine locomotor sensitization, and conditioned place preference (CPP) models regarding behavioral tests on dopamine transporter activity.

Methods: Mice and rats were used to see how they react to the drug 419 and control vehicle, in each of the models. The animals were assessed to pre- and post- drug administration of novel drug 419. We examined each model to see the association between how drug 419 will help with treating drug abuse.

Results: We found that in alcohol consumption model the …

Abuse And Misuse Of Stimulants For Adhd, Rita Chamoun

All Publications

No abstract provided.

Target-Directed Biosynthetic Evolution: Redirecting Plant Evolution To Genomically Optimize A Plant’S Pharmacological Profile, Dustin Paul Brown

Theses and Dissertations--Neuroscience

The dissertation describes a novel method for plant drug discovery based on mutation and selection of plant cells. Despite the industry focus on chemical synthesis, plants remain a source of potent and complex bioactive metabolites. Many of these have evolved as defensive compounds targeted on key proteins in the CNS of herbivorous insects, for example the insect dopamine transporter (DAT). Because of homology with the human DAT protein some of these metabolites have high abuse potential, but others may be valuable in treating drug dependence. This dissertation redirects the evolution of a native Lobelia species toward metabolites with greater activity …

Medical Oxymoron Or Necessary Prevention Of Repeat Sex Offenses: An Examination Of The Appropriateness Of Existing Chemical Castration Statutes, Robert Watters

Robert Watters

The current chemical castration statutes in six states are full of logical constitutional, medical and ethical questions and concerns. The basis for the criticism can be traced to how the schemes were developed compared to the those used in Europe. The castration statutes enacted after long trial and error periods are, therefore, easily discernible from those signed into law quickly as a reaction to some outside event.

A Shot In Arm: Can Chemical Castration Statutes Cure Sex Offenders Legally And Ethically?, Robert Watters

Robert Watters

At least seven states have chemical castration statutes to combat recidivist sex offenders. This article is an examination of the appropriateness and effectiveness of those statutes as against the successful European models.

Differential Effects Of Acute Amphetamine And Phencyclidine Treatment And Withdrawal From Repeated Amphetamine Or Phencyclidine Treatment On Social Interaction And Social Memory In Rats, Ming Li, Wei He, Rebecca Munro

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Although animal models based on amphetamine (AMPH) or phencyclidine (PCP) treatment have been used extensively to study the neurobiological and behavioral characteristics of schizophrenia, there are conflicting reports regarding their validity in modeling the negative symptoms and cognitive deficits of schizophrenia. The present study examined how acute AMPH or PCP treatment (Experiment 1) and withdrawal from repeated AMPH treatment (Experiment 2) or PCP treatment (Experiment 3) affects social behavior and social recognition memory in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Each subject was tested on two consecutive days. On the first day, the rats were tested four times (5 min/each) at 10-min intervals …

The Effects Of Nicotine Conditioned Place Preference In D2 Primed Adolescent Rats: Age-Related And Gender Effects., Yoko Emily Ogawa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated nicotine conditioned place preference (CPP) in two different ages of adolescence using a rodent model of schizophrenia. Both 2- and 3-chambered CPP apparatuses were used to test whether the CPP was due to an aversion to the white chamber. Animals were neontally treated with the dopamine D₂/D₃ agonist, quinpirole, or saline and raised to either early postweanling age (P 22) or adolescence (P 29). Rats were conditioned to prefer the white chamber using nicotine. Results showed that nicotine induced CPP and appeared to alleviate an increased stress response in D₂ primed animals, which …

An Analysis Of Nicotine Exacerbation Of Reductions In Ppi In A Rodent Model Of Schizophrenia., Amanda Marie Maple

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is an operational measure of sensorimotor gating and is known to be reduced when the dopamine D² receptor is activated. We used a rodent model of psychosis in which increases in dopamine D_{2 receptor sensitivity are produced through neonatal quinpirole (a dopamine D2 / D3 agonist) treatment to rats. Rats were administered quinpirole (1mg/kg) or saline from postnatal day (P) 1-21. Rats were raised to adulthood and tested on PPI. Results showed that neonatal quinpirole treatment produced a significant reduction in PPI, and nicotine exacerbated this reduction. This reduction was partially blocked by …}

Nicotine Sensitization In A Rodent Model Of Schizophrenia: A Comparison Of Adolescents, Adults, And Neurotrophic Factors., Marla Kay Perna

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The behavioral effects of nicotine on locomotor activity in a rodent model of psychosis were analyzed. This model is based on neonatal quinpriole treatment (a dopamine D2/D3 agonist) which causes increased D2 receptor sensitivity, a phenomenon known as D2 priming that is common in schizophrenia. D2-primed adolescent rats did not demonstrate nicotine-induced hypoactivity early in training, and males demonstrated more rapid sensitization to nicotine as compared to controls administered nicotine. D2-primed females administered nicotine demonstrated increased stereotypic behavior. D2-primed adult rats given nicotine demonstrated significantly more robust sensitization to nicotine than controls given nicotine. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was analyzed …