Psilocybin in Autism Spectrum Disorder ("PSILAUT")
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Modulation of serotonin pathways using psilocybin in adults with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder
IRAS ID
292281
Contact name
Grainne McAlonan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that presents a considerable unmet need. A lack of understanding of the underlying neurobiology of ASD has meant that identifying treatment targets has been challenging, with no approved treatments for the core symptoms currently available. The brain chemical serotonin has a key role in several human behaviours and may provide one such target. There is evidence that the serotonin system functions differently in ASD. We aim to find out if there are differences in how serotonin controls brain activity and information processing in people with and without ASD.
To do this, we will measure brain activity in adults with and without ASD when the serotonin system in the brain is active and when it is 'resting'. The serotonin system will be briefly activated by a single low dose of a serotonin-acting drug, psilocybin and compared to when the brain is resting after a 'dummy pill' (placebo). Brain activity will be measured using both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG), in addition to out-of-scanner tests of behaviour relevant to ASD symptoms.
Psilocybin has been used in many clinical trials and has been found to be generally safe and well-tolerated, providing a useful research tool for our study. Our single-site study will take place at King's College London and data collection will last two years.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0795
Date of REC Opinion
21 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion