[11C]UCB-J PET-MRI effects of DMT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Studying effects of DMT administration in healthy volunteers on synaptogenesis using [11C]UCB-J PET-fMRI
IRAS ID
315713
Contact name
David Erritzoe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The antidepressant effects of DMT may be mediated by neuroplasticity, specifically, the formation of new synaptic connections between neurones. It has only very recently become possible to investigate where, when and how the brain forms new connections in the living human brain thanks to advancements in Positron Emission Tomography, also known as PET scanning. In this study, we propose to use such PET scanning techniques in combination with a magnetic brain scan (MRI) in order to investigate formation of new synaptic connections following DMT administration. To do this, we will be using a new radioligand that is detectable by PET scanning, called [11C]UCB-J, that binds exclusively to connections between brain cells. Using this, we will be able to detect changes in the number of connections after DMT administration. From this, we can find out where, and to what degree these neuroplasticity related changes in brain connections are taking place. Additionally, we will relate this information to electrophysiological recordings of participants brain activity during two tasks that respectively index the brains global ability to form new connections in response to sensory information (the human visual long-term potentiation task), and ability to adapt to novel information (the auditory mismatch negativity task), before and after DMT. Both of these tasks provide indirect and complimentary measures of neuroplasticity. This may give us new insights into how DMT works as an antidepressant, and how the brain forms new connections when learning new skills.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0653
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion