Cited by 305Psychedelics and Drug StudiesNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorSchizophrenia research and treatment

5-HT Modulation of Dopamine Release in Basal Ganglia in Psilocybin-Induced Psychosis in Man—A PET Study with [11C]raclopride

Vollenweider, F·1999·Neuropsychopharmacology

Abstract

The modulating effects of serotonin on dopamine neurotransmission are not well understood, particularly in acute psychotic states. Positron emission tomography was used to examine the effect of psilocybin on the in vivo binding of [11C]raclopride to D2-dopamine receptors in the striatum in healthy volunteers after placebo and a psychotomimetic dose of psilocybin (n = 7). Psilocybin is a potent indoleamine hallucinogen and a mixed 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptor agonist. Psilocybin administration (0.25 mg/kg p.o.) produced changes in mood, disturbances in thinking, illusions, elementary and complex visual hallucinations and impaired ego-functioning. Psilocybin significantly decreased [11C]raclopride receptor binding potential (BP) bilaterally in the caudate nucleus (19%) and putamen (20%) consistent with an increase in endogenous dopamine. Changes in [11C]raclopride BP in the ventral striatum correlated with depersonalization associated with euphoria. Together with previous reports of 5-HT receptor involvement in striatal dopamine release, it is concluded that stimulation of both 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors may be important for the modulation of striatal dopamine release in acute psychoses. The present results indirectly support the hypothesis of a serotonin-dopamine dysbalance in schizophrenia and suggest that psilocybin is a valuable tool in the analysis of serotonin-dopamine interactions in acute psychotic states.

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Crossref · 10.1016/s0893-133x(98)00108-0

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  • In a PET study, healthy volunteers scanned with [11C]-raclopride first in a placebo baseline and again after psilocybin (0.25 mg/kg p.o.) showed a global 20% decline in [11C]-raclopride binding in the striatum, similar to displacements evoked by amphetamine or other strong releasers of dopamine.

    “Comparison of the two scans revealed a global 20% decline in [11C]-raclopride (41) binding in the striatum, which is similar to the displacements evoked by amphetamine or other strong releasers of dopamine.”
  • The decline in ventral striatum correlated with individual ratings for euphoria and depersonalization.

    “Furthermore, the decline in the ventral striatum correlated with individual ratings for euphoria and depersonalization.”
  • Psychedelics facilitate altered states of consciousness characterized by heightened introspection and diminished ego boundaries through influence on 5-HT1A, 5-HT2B, dopaminergic, and glutamatergic systems.

    “The other explanation of psychedelics' ability to facilitate altered states of consciousness characterized by heightened introspection and diminished ego boundaries is their influence on 5-HT1A [64] and 5-HT2B [65], and interacting with the dopaminergic [66] and glutamatergic systems [67].”

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Authors
Vollenweider, F.
Affiliations
University Hospital Zurich (CH)
Corresponding author
Vollenweider, F
Venue
Neuropsychopharmacology
Published
1999-05
Volume
20
Issue
5
Pages
424-433
ISSN
0893-133X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W1986425243
Cited by
305
References
73
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 28 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 11
FWCI
8.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DORA PSI (Paul Scherrer Institute) (submittedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
Keywords
psilocybin, psychosis, serotonin, dopamine release, dopamine D2 receptor, [11C]raclopride, striatum, caudate nucleus, putamen, 5-HT2A receptor, 5-HT1A receptor, serotonin-dopamine interaction, hallucinations, depersonalization, schizophrenia
MeSH terms
Adult, Basal Ganglia, Dopamine, Hallucinogens, Humans, Male, Psilocybin, Psychometrics, Psychoses, Substance-Induced, Salicylamides, Serotonin, Tomography, Emission-Computed, Antipsychotic Agents, Dopamine Antagonists, Raclopride

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