Single psilocybin dose linked to increased social exploration in OCD mouse model
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric condition characterized by recurrent obsessions, or unwanted thoughts, typically accompanied by repeated actions that seem difficult to control, also known as compulsions. While there are various treatments for OCD, not all patients respond well to them.
Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, may offer a new avenue for treating obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) in mice exhibiting compulsive-like behaviors. Researchers from the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University and other Australian institutions found that a single psilocybin dose significantly increased social exploration in male mice with OCD-like symptoms.
Published in Molecular Psychiatry, the study indicates that the drug could potentially restore social cognition in OCD patients, who often struggle with social functioning. The findings suggest that psilocybin's effects on the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus may play a crucial role in its therapeutic impact, offering hope for a novel treatment option for individuals affected by OCD and related disorders.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
