Spatiotemporal Brain Dynamics of Emotional Face Processing Modulations Induced by the Serotonin 1A/2A Receptor Agonist Psilocybin

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (n=30) investigated the effects of psilocybin (12mg/70kg) on emotional face processing as measured with EEG and found a reduced neural response to both neutral and emotional faces induced by psilocybin due to a psilocybin-induced increase in top-down control.

Abstract of Spatiotemporal Brain Dynamics of Emotional Face Processing Modulations Induced by Psilocybin

Introduction: Emotional face processing is critically modulated by the serotonergic system. For instance, emotional face processing is impaired by acute psilocybin administration, a serotonin (5-HT) 1A and 2A receptor agonist. However, the spatiotemporal brain mechanisms underlying these modulations are poorly understood.

Methods: Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal brain dynamics underlying psilocybin-induced modulations during emotional face processing. Electrical neuroimaging analyses were applied to visual evoked potentials in response to emotional faces, following psilocybin and placebo administration.

Results: Our results indicate a first time period of strength (i.e., Global Field Power) modulation over the 168–189 ms poststimulus interval, induced by psilocybin. A second time period of strength modulation was identified over the 211–242 ms poststimulus interval. Source estimations over these 2 time periods further revealed decreased activity in response to both neutral and fearful faces within limbic areas, including amygdala and parahippocampal gyrus, and the right temporal cortex over the 168–189 ms interval, and reduced activity in response to happy faces within limbic and right temporo-occipital brain areas over the 211–242 ms interval.

Discussion: Our results indicate a selective and temporally dissociable effect of psilocybin on the neuronal correlates of emotional face processing, consistent with a modulation of the top-down control.”

Authors: Fosco Bernasconi, André Schmidt, Thomas Pokorny, Michael Kometer, Erich Seifritz, Franz X. Vollenweider

Summary of Spatiotemporal Brain Dynamics of Emotional Face Processing Modulations Induced by Psilocybin

Participants

The DIA-X diagnostic expert system screened thirty healthy participants (27 right-handed) with normal or corrected-to-normal vision, the Symptom Checklist (SCL-90 – R), and the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.). They were excluded if they had history of drug dependence or were currently using drugs.

Drug Administration

Participants received either psilocybin or placebo in 2 separate sessions, separated by at least 2 weeks. They were monitored until all acute drug effects had worn off.

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Spatiotemporal Brain Dynamics of Emotional Face Processing Modulations Induced by the Serotonin 1A/2A Receptor Agonist Psilocybin

https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bht178

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Cite this paper (APA)

Bernasconi, F., Schmidt, A., Pokorny, T., Kometer, M., Seifritz, E., & Vollenweider, F. X. (2014). Spatiotemporal brain dynamics of emotional face processing modulations induced by the serotonin 1A/2A receptor agonist psilocybin. Cerebral Cortex24(12), 3221-3231.

Study details

Compounds studied
Psilocybin

Topics studied
Neuroscience

Study characteristics
Original Placebo-Controlled Double-Blind Randomized Bio/Neuro

Participants
30 Humans

Authors

Authors associated with this publication with profiles on Blossom

Franz Vollenweider
Franz X. Vollenweider is one of the pioneering psychedelics researchers, currently at the University of Zurich. He is also the director of the Heffter (sponsored) Research Center Zürich for Consciousness Studies (HRC-ZH).

Institutes

Institutes associated with this publication

University of Zurich
Within the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics at the University of Zurich, Dr Mialn Scheidegger is leading team conducting psychedelic research and therapy development.

Compound Details

The psychedelics given at which dose and how many times

Psilocybin 12 mg

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