Abstract

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to change and adapt in response to experience and environmental factors. Recent preclinical studies have shown that psychedelics may induce a post-acute ‘hyperplastic state’, which could have important implications for the therapeutic mechanisms of these drugs. Translating these preclinical findings into human studies relies on reliable markers of neuroplasticity which can be challenging to collect non-invasively. We have an opportunity to explore plasticity dynamics in humans following psychedelic administration using two electroencephalography (EEG) indices.

Together, the Roving Mismatch Negativity (rMMN) and the visual Long-Term Potentiation (vLTP) paradigms can track the progression from acute hyperplasticity to post-acute adaptability, and finally to the often-overlooked step of long-term consolidation that is critical for enduring therapeutic change. This has been examined across studies in the acute & post-acute states of LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine. Results will also be presented from a recent clinical trial of psilocybin for anorexia nervosa, the first to examine post-acute neuroplasticity in the time window of integration. Ultimately, we will critically examine how these metrics may be utilized in current and upcoming studies.