Project Overview

Psychedelic drugs, known for their profound effects on perception, are showing promise as rapid and long-lasting treatments for depression. This is especially important given the increasing number of people diagnosed with depression and the high rates of resistance to current treatments. However, scientists must fully understand how these substances work in the brain to develop safe and effective therapies.

This study focuses on the role of myelination, a process in which nerve fibres are coated with a protective layer called myelin. Myelin is essential for efficient brain communication and affects various functions, including mood regulation. Research has shown that people with depression often have deficits in myelination, which may contribute to mood and cognitive impairments.

Our preliminary findings suggest that 2-Bromo-LSD (2-Br-LSD), a non-hallucinogenic derivative of LSD, can cause lasting behavioural effects in mice, similar to other psychedelics. We also found that this drug increases myelin thickness in a key brain region involved in mood regulation, the prefrontal cortex. Further analysis suggests that 2-Br-LSD strongly affects a type of brain cell called oligodendrocytes, which are responsible for producing myelin.

To better understand these effects, our research will explore three key questions: (1) Can psychedelics reverse myelination deficits in the adult brain? (2) Is myelination necessary for their antidepressant effects? (3) What are the biological mechanisms driving these changes? By using advanced techniques, such as electron microscopy and genetic tools, we aim to determine how psychedelics influence myelination and whether this contributes to their antidepressant properties.

By uncovering these mechanisms, our research could pave the way for innovative depression treatments that target brain myelination, offering hope to millions of individuals struggling with this condition.

Principal Investigator

Argel Aguilar Valles , Carleton University

Partners and Donors

Crabtree Foundation