Psychoplastogens are a group of small molecule drugs that produce rapid and sustained effects on neuronal structure and function, intended to manifest therapeutic benefit after a single administration.[1][2] Several existing psychoplastogens have been identified and their therapeutic effects demonstrated; several are presently at various stages of development as medications including ketamine, MDMA, scopolamine, and the serotonergic psychedelics, including LSD, psilocin (the active metabolite of psilocybin), DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT. Compounds of this sort are being explored as therapeutics for a variety of brain disorders including depression, addiction, and PTSD. The ability to rapidly promote neuronal changes via mechanisms of neuroplasticity was recently discovered as the common therapeutic activity and mechanism of action.[3]
Etymology and nomenclature
The term psychoplastogen comes from the Greek roots psych- (mind), -plast (molded), and -gen (producing) and covers a variety of chemotypes and receptor targets. It was coined by David E. Olson in collaboration with Valentina Popescu, both at the University of California, Davis.[3]
The term neuroplastogen is sometimes used as a synonym for psychoplastogen, especially when speaking to the biological substrate rather than the therapeutic.
Chemistry
Psychoplastogens come in a variety of chemotypes but, by definition, are small molecules.[1]
Pharmacology
Psychoplastogens exert their effects by promoting structural and functional neural plasticity through diverse targets including, but not limited to, 5-HT2A, NMDA, and muscarinic receptors. Some are biased agonists. While each compound may have a different receptor binding profile, signaling appears to converge at the tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways.[3][4] Convergence at TrkB and mTOR parallels that of traditional antidepressants with known efficacies, but with more rapid onset.[5]
Due to their rapid and sustained effects, psychoplastogens could potentially be dosed intermittently.[6]
In addition to the neuroplasticity effects, these compounds can have other epiphenomena including sedation, dissociation, and hallucinations.[6]
Approved medical uses
Several psychoplastogens have either been approved or are in development for the treatment of a variety of brain disorders associated with neuronal atrophy where neuroplasticity can elicit beneficial effects.[6]
Esketamine, sold under the brand name Spravato and produced by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, was approved by the FDA in March 2019 for the treatment of Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) and suicidal ideation.[7] As of 2022, it is the only psychoplastogen approved in the US for the treatment of a neuropsychiatric disorder.[6] Esketamine is the S(+) enantiomer of ketamine and functions as an NMDA receptor antagonist.[8]
Clinical development
Other psychoplastogens that are being investigated in the clinic include:
- MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is being investigated for treatment of PTSD. A recent placebo controlled Phase 3 trial found that 67% of participants in the MDMA+therapy group no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD whereas 32% of those in the placebo+therapy group no longer met PTSD threshold.[9] MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is also currently in Phase 2 trials for eating disorders,[10] anxiety associated with life-threatening illness,[11] and social anxiety in autistic adults.[12]
- Psilocybin, a compound in psilocybin mushrooms that serves as a prodrug for psilocin, is currently being investigated in clinical trials of Hallucinogen-Assisted Therapy for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. To date studies have explored the utility of psilocybin in a variety of diseases, including TRD,[13][14] smoking addiction,[15][16] and anxiety and depression in people with cancer diagnoses.[17]
- LSD is being tested in phase 2 trials for cluster headaches and anxiety.[18]
- DMT is being studied for depression.[19]
- 5-MeO-DMT is being studied for depression and eating disorders.[20]
- Ibogaine and Noribogaine are being studied for addiction.[21][22][23]