Psychedelic 5-HT_2A receptor agonism alters neurovascular coupling and differentially affects neuronal and hemodynamic measures of brain function.

ABSTRACT: Human neuroimaging studies report that psychedelics induce serotonin-2A receptor-dependent changes in functional brain reorganization, presumably reflecting neuromodulation. However, these studies often overlook the potent vasoactive effects of serotonin. Here we identified psilocybin-induced alterations in hemodynamic response functions during human functional magnetic resonance imaging, suggesting potential disruptions in neurovascular coupling. We then used wide-field optical imaging in awake Thy1-jRGECO1a mice to determine whether psychedelic-induced changes in hemodynamics arise from neuronal, vascular or neurovascular effects. Exposure to the psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) differentially altered coupling between cortical excitatory neuronal versus hemodynamic activ

SUBMITTER: Padawer-Curry JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12699989 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature