Investigating the Persisting Effects of a Single Dose of Psilocybin on Structural Plasticity in Healthy Older Adults

This double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial (n=40) will investigate the persisting effects of a single dose of psilocybin (1-30mg) on structural plasticity in healthy older adults.

Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley aim to understand how psilocybin affects cognition, predictive coding, and affect in healthy older adults. They will compare baseline measurements to those taken one week and one month post-treatment.

Participants, aged 60-85, will be randomly assigned to receive a dose of psilocybin ranging from microdose to moderate-to-high dose, allowing for dose-response assessment. Brain imaging techniques such as MRI will be employed to evaluate changes in brain structure and activity, while cognitive exams and surveys will measure changes in cognition, predictive coding, and affect.

The study will provide insights into the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin for older adults, potentially informing treatments for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. The trial is scheduled to begin in April 2025 and conclude in December 2027.

Topic Healthy Subjects Neurocognitive Disorders Neuroscience
Compound Psilocybin Placebo
Country United States of America
Visit trial
Status Not yet recruiting
Results Published No
Start date 01 April 2025
End date 30 December 2027
Phase Phase I
Design Blinded
Type Interventional
Generation First
Participants 40
Sex All
Age 60- 85
Therapy No

Trial Details

We will use cognitive exams, perceptual tasks, brain imaging, peripheral psychophysiology, and surveys to investigate the persisting effects of psilocybin on cognition, predictive coding, and affect in healthy older adults. We will measure changes in these measures by comparing baseline to one-week and one-month post-treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive a dose of psilocybin in a range from microdose to moderate-to-high dose. Dose response will be assessed. Anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) will be used to assess changes in brain structure, while functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) will be used to quantify changes in functional brain activity. We will assess whether changes in these brain measures underlie observed changes in cognition, predictive coding and affect.

Trial Number NCT06367738

Sponsors & Collaborators

University of California Berkley
The UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics (BCSP) is exploring psychedelics as tools for understanding the brain and mind, enhancing well-being, and deepening spirituality.

Data attribution

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