Communications Biology· 2026Q1
Psilocybin as a treatment for repetitive mild head injury: evidence from neuroradiology and molecular biology
- 3citations
- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Psilocybin treatment in a rat model significantly reduced key markers of damage from repetitive mild head injuries, including vasogenic edema, phosphorylated tau buildup, and restored vascular reactivity and functional connectivity.
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Key points
- Psilocybin treatment reduced vasogenic edema in rats with repetitive mild head injury.
- Psilocybin restored normal vascular reactivity and functional connectivity.
- The treatment decreased phosphorylated tau buildup, a marker of neurodegeneration.
- Psilocybin enhanced levels of BDNF and its receptor TrkB.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Abstract Repetitive mild head injuries incurred while playing organized sports, during car accidents and falls, or in active military service are a major health problem. These head injuries induce cognitive, motor, and behavioral deficits that can last for months and even years with an increased risk of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. There is no approved medical treatment for these types of head injuries. To this end, we tested the healing effects of the psychedelic psilocybin, as it is known to reduce neuroinflammation and enhance neuroplasticity. Using a model of mild repetitive head injury in adult female rats, we provide unprecedented data that psilocybin can reduce vasogenic edema, restore normal vascular reactivity and functional connectivity, reduce phosphorylated tau buildup, enhance levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its receptor TrkB, and modulate lipid signaling molecules.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Communications Biology, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Clinical Psychology
Clinical PsychologyPsychology