Javier Gonzalez-Maeso, PhD

Virginia Commonwealth University

Molecular target and mechanisms of psychedelic-induced plasticity

The overall goal of my research program is to explore the structure, function and regulation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), translating this basic knowledge into novel strategies to treat psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and substance use disorder. My group also has a great interest in understanding the molecular, cellular and neural circuit mechanisms by which environmental factors and chronic drug exposure alter behavior. Our research is based on the combination of interdisciplinary approaches ranging from computer structural modeling and molecular pharmacology in cell culture to neurochemistry, epigenetics, mouse behavioral assays relevant to psychiatric disorders, and functional testing in postmortem human brain samples. Ultimately, our goal is to use this basic knowledge to develop new approaches for treatment and prevention of psychiatric disorders.

Matt Johnson, PhD

Johns Hopkins University

Human Behavioral Pharmacology and Therapeutics of Psilocybin

This talk will review the behavioral pharmacology and treatment of substance use disorders with psilocybin and other classic psychedelics (5HT2A agonists). Early research from the 1950s to 1970s investigated classic psychedelics, primarily LSD, in the treatment of alcoholism and cancer-related distress. Over the last 20 years research has once again investigated psychedelics in the treatment of psychiatric disorders including substance use disorders, cancer-related distress, and depression. This talk will provide a current description of this work as well as a vision for the future.

David Olson, PhD

University of California Davis

Psychedelics and Related Plasticity-Promoting Neurotherapeutics

Cortical atrophy plays a key role in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric diseases including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorder. Recently, our group discovered that psychedelic natural products and related compounds, such as LSD, DMT, and ibogaine, are psychoplastogens—small molecules capable of rapidly promoting structural and functional neural plasticity. Furthermore, through careful chemical design, we have engineered non-hallucinogenic psychoplastogens that produce similar sustained therapeutic behavioral effects after a single administration. Psychedelics and other psychoplastogens have inspired our medicinal chemistry efforts to develop safer and more effective neurotherapeutics, and they serve as key chemical tools in our studies to understand the fundamental biochemical mechanisms that give rise to neural plasticity.

Berra Yazar-Klosinski, PhD

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

Risk/Benefit Profile of MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Treatment of PTSD

MDMA-assisted therapy is efficacious in treating PTSD with a favorable safety profile based on pooled data from six Phase 2 trials and one multicenter international Phase 3 clinical trial. The neurobiological effects of MDMA support a plausible therapeutic mechanism of action in the context of PTSD. Toxicology studies intended to support registration demonstrate that MDMA is unlikely to pose genotoxicity or teratogenicity/fetotoxicity in early pregnancy, and single-dose administration mitigates concerns of neurotoxicity. Review of preclinical, epidemiological, and clinical data indicate that while MDMA has some abuse potential, this is lower than medications such as cocaine or amphetamine.