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Animal models of serotonergic psychedelics

ACS Chem Neurosci. 2013 Jan 16;4(1):33-42. doi: 10.1021/cn300138m. Epub 2012 Sep 24.

Abstract

The serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptor is the major target of psychedelic drugs such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin. Serotonergic psychedelics induce profound effects on cognition, emotion, and sensory processing that often seem uniquely human. This raises questions about the validity of animal models of psychedelic drug action. Nonetheless, recent findings suggest behavioral abnormalities elicited by psychedelics in rodents that predict such effects in humans. Here we review the behavioral effects induced by psychedelic drugs in rodent models, discuss the translational potential of these findings, and define areas where further research is needed to better understand the molecular mechanisms and neuronal circuits underlying their neuropsychological effects.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anxiety / chemically induced
  • Discrimination, Psychological / drug effects
  • Exploratory Behavior / drug effects
  • Hallucinogens / pharmacology*
  • Head Movements / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / chemically induced
  • Memory / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / drug effects*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / drug effects
  • Reflex, Startle / drug effects
  • Reinforcement Schedule
  • Rodentia
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology*
  • Time Perception / drug effects

Substances

  • Hallucinogens
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists