Classical and non-classical psychedelic drugs induce common network changes in human cortex
Rui Dai,
Tony E. Larkin,
Zirui Huang,
Vijay Tarnal,
Paul Picton,
Phillip E. Vlisides,
Ellen Janke,
Amy McKinney,
Anthony G. Hudetz,
Richard E. Harris,
George A. Mashour
Affiliations
Rui Dai
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Tony E. Larkin
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Zirui Huang
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Vijay Tarnal
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Paul Picton
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Phillip E. Vlisides
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Ellen Janke
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Amy McKinney
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Anthony G. Hudetz
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
Richard E. Harris
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
George A. Mashour
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States; Corresponding authors at: Department of Anesthesiology, 1301 Catherine Street, 4102 Medical-Science Building 1, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States
The neurobiology of the psychedelic experience is not fully understood. Identifying common brain network changes induced by both classical (i.e., acting at the 5-HT2 receptor) and non-classical psychedelics would provide mechanistic insight into state-specific characteristics. We analyzed whole-brain functional connectivity based on resting-state fMRI data in humans, acquired before and during the administration of nitrous oxide, ketamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide. We report that, despite distinct molecular mechanisms and modes of delivery, all three psychedelics reduced within-network functional connectivity and enhanced between-network functional connectivity. More specifically, all three drugs increased connectivity between right temporoparietal junction and bilateral intraparietal sulcus as well as between precuneus and left intraparietal sulcus. These regions fall within the posterior cortical “hot zone,” posited to mediate the qualitative aspects of experience. Thus, both classical and non-classical psychedelics modulate networks within an area of known relevance for consciousness, identifying a biologically plausible candidate for their subjective effects.
