LSD study will help drug development

Virtually all mental health disorders come with difficulties in interpersonal relations, the University of Zurich (UZH) explained in a press release. The associated restrictions can only be marginally improved by current forms of therapy. One of the reasons is that there has been very little research into the basic neurobiological principles and neurochemical mechanisms of these kinds of disorders.

Researchers at UZH have now investigated the links between changes in the sense of self and changes in social interaction, as well as the pharmacological mechanisms that play a role in these processes. Study participants received a placebo, LSD, or LSD in combination with ketanserin and then communicated with a virtual avatar by means of eye movements while lying in an MRI scanner.

“This allowed us to show that brain regions which are important for distinguishing between self and others were less active under the influence of LSD. And this also changed social interactions,” explains Katrin Preller, who was co-leader of the research team. The researchers were also able to show that the changes were specifically linked to the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A receptor).

Overall, the study findings demonstrate that self-experience and social interaction are closely linked. Changes to these intertwined processes could be the result of an impaired transfer of information mediated by the 5-HT2A receptor system. The results could be important for the development of new pharmacological therapies to treat psychiatric disorders. For example, blocking this receptor could improve symptoms in schizophrenia patients suffering from an incoherent sense of self. Conversely, stimulating this receptor could help patients who suffer from an increased self-focus, as is the case with depression.