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5-MeO-DMT is a natural hallucinogen acting as serotonin 5-HT/5-HT receptor agonist. Its ability to evoke hallucinations could be used to study the neurobiology of psychotic symptoms and to identify new treatment targets. Moreover, recent studies revealed the therapeutic potential of serotonin hallucinogens in treating mood and anxiety disorders. Our previous results in anesthetized animals show that 5-MeO-DMT alters cortical activity via 5-HT and 5-HT receptors. Here, we examined 5-MeO-DMT effects on oscillatory activity in prefrontal (PFC) and visual (V1) cortices, and in mediodorsal thalamus (MD) of freely-moving wild-type (WT) and 5-HT-R knockout (KO2A) mice. We performed local field potential multi-recordings evaluating the power at different frequency bands and coherence between areas. We also examined the prevention of 5-MeO-DMT effects by the 5-HT-R antagonist WAY-100635. 5-MeO-DMT affected oscillatory activity more in cortical than in thalamic areas. More marked effects were observed in delta power in V1 of KO2A mice. 5-MeO-DMT increased beta band coherence between all examined areas. In KO2A mice, WAY100635 prevented most of 5-MeO-DMT effects on oscillatory activity. The present results indicate that hallucinatory activity of 5-MeO-DMT is likely mediated by simultaneous alteration of prefrontal and visual activities. The prevention of these effects by WAY-100635 in KO2A mice supports the potential usefulness of 5-HT receptor antagonists to treat visual hallucinations. 5-MeO-DMT effects on PFC theta activity and cortico-thalamic coherence may be related to its antidepressant activity. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled ‘Psychedelics: New Doors, Altered Perceptions’., This work was supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI09/01245, PI12/00156 and PI16/00287 (PN de I + D + I 2008–2011, ISCIII-Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación, Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund. “Una manera de hacer Europa”), and by grant SAF2015-68346-P (MINECO, FEDER EU) Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, (CIBERSAM P82, 11INT3. Support from the Generalitat de Catalunya (2014 SGR798) is also acknowledged. MR was supported by an IDIBAPS fellowship.

Hallucinogens evoke sensory, perceptual, affective, and cognitive effects that may be useful to understand the neurobiological basis of mood and psychotic disorders. The present chapter reviews preclinical research carried out in recent years in order to better understand the action of psychotomimetic agents such as the noncompetitive NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) antagonists and serotonergic hallucinogens. Our studies have focused on the mechanisms through which these agents alter cortical activity. Noncompetitive NMDA-R antagonists, such as phencyclidine (PCP) and MK-801 (dizocilpine), as well as the serotonergic hallucinogens DOI and 5-MeO-DMT, produce similar effects on cellular and population activity in prefrontal cortex (PFC); these effects include alterations of pyramidal neuron discharge (with an overall increase in firing), as well as a marked attenuation of the low frequency oscillations (0.2–4 Hz) to which neuronal discharge is coupled in anesthetized rodents. PCP increases c-fos expression in excitatory neurons from various cortical and subcortical areas, particularly the thalamus. This effect of PCP involves the preferential blockade of NMDA-R on GABAergic neurons of the reticular nucleus of the thalamus, which provides feedforward inhibition to the rest of thalamic nuclei. It is still unknown whether serotonergic hallucinogens also affect thalamocortical networks. However, when examined, similar alterations in other cortical areas, such as the primary visual cortex (V1), have been observed, suggesting that these agents affect cortical activity in sensory and associative areas. Interestingly, the disruption of PFC activity induced by PCP, DOI and 5-MeO-DMT is reversed by classical and atypical antipsychotic drugs. This effect suggests a possible link between the mechanisms underlying the disruption of perception by multiple classes of hallucinogenic agents and the therapeutic efficacy of antipsychotic agents., Supported by the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking (IMI) under Grant Agreement N° 115008 (NEWMEDS). IMI is a public–private partnership between the European Union and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. Support from the following grants is also acknowledged: SAF 2015-68346-P (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and European Regional Development Fund), PI09/1245 and PI12/00156 (PN de I+D+I 2008–2011, ISCIII-Subdireccion General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund. “Una manera de hacer Europa”) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM (P82, 11INT3). Support from the Generalitat de Catalunya (SGR20093) is also acknowledged. MR is recipient of a IDIBAPS fellowship.

5-MeO-DMT is a natural hallucinogen acting as serotonin 5-HT

The non-competitive NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) antagonist phencyclidine (PCP) markedly disrupts thalamocortical activity, increasing excitatory neuron discharge and reducing low frequency oscillations (LFO, Supported by the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking (IMI) under Grant agreement no. 115008 (NEWMEDS). IMI is a public/private partnership between the European Union and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. Support from the following Grants is also acknowledged: SAF 2012-35183 (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and European Regional Development Fund), PI09/1245 and PI12/00156 (PN de I+D+I 2008-2011, ISCIII-Subdirección General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund. ‘Una manera de hacer Europa’) and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM. Support from the Generalitat de Catalunya (2014 SGR798) is also acknowledged.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The antidepressant efficacy of selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and other 5-HT-enhancing drugs is compromised by a negative feedback mechanism involving 5-HT1A autoreceptor activation by the excess 5-HT produced by these drugs in the somatodendritic region of 5-HT neurones. 5-HT1A receptor antagonists augment antidepressant-like effects in rodents by preventing this negative feedback, and the mixed β-adrenoceptor/5-HT1A receptor antagonist pindolol improves clinical antidepressant effects by preferentially interacting with 5-HT1A autoreceptors. However, it is unclear whether 5-HT1A receptor antagonists not discriminating between pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors would be clinically effective. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We characterized the pharmacological properties of the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist DU-125530 using receptor autoradiography, intracerebral microdialysis and electrophysiological recordings. Its capacity to accelerate/enhance the clinical effects of fluoxetine was assessed in a double-blind, randomized, 6 week placebo-controlled trial in 50 patients with major depression (clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01119430). KEY RESULTS DU-125530 showed equal (low nM) potency to displace agonist and antagonist binding to pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors in rat and human brain. It antagonized suppression of 5-hydroxytryptaminergic activity evoked by 8-OH-DPAT and SSRIs in vivo. DU-125530 augmented SSRI-induced increases in extracellular 5-HT as effectively as in mice lacking 5-HT1A receptors, indicating a silent, maximal occupancy of pre-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors at the dose used. However, DU-125530 addition to fluoxetine did not accelerate nor augment its antidepressant effects. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS DU-125530 is an excellent pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. However, blockade of post-synaptic 5- HT1A receptors by DU-125530 cancels benefits obtained by enhancing pre-synaptic 5-hydroxytryptaminergic function.

Background and purpose: F15599, a novel 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A receptor agonist with 1000-fold selectivity for 5-HT compared with other monoamine receptors, shows antidepressant and procognitive activity at very low doses in animal models. We examined the in vivo activity of F15599 at somatodendritic autoreceptors and postsynaptic 5-HT1A heteroreceptors. Experimental approach: In vivo single unit and local field potential recordings and microdialysis in the rat. Key results: F15599 increased the discharge rate of pyramidal neurones in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) from 0.2 µg·kg−1 i.v and reduced that of dorsal raphe 5-hydroxytryptaminergic neurones at doses >10-fold higher (minimal effective dose 8.2 µg·kg−1 i.v.). Both effects were reversed by the 5-HT1A antagonist (±)WAY100635. F15599 did not alter low frequency oscillations (∼1 Hz) in mPFC. In microdialysis studies, F15599 increased dopamine output in mPFC (an effect dependent on the activation of postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors) with an ED50 of 30 µg·kg−1 i.p., whereas it reduced hippocampal 5-HT release (an effect dependent exclusively on 5-HT1A autoreceptor activation) with an ED50 of 240 µg·kg−1 i.p. Likewise, application of F15599 by reverse dialysis in mPFC increased dopamine output in a concentration-dependent manner. All neurochemical responses to F15599 were prevented by administration of (±)WAY100635. Conclusions and implications: These results indicate that systemic administration of F15599 preferentially activates postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors in PFC rather than somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors. This regional selectivity distinguishes F15599 from previously developed 5-HT1A receptor agonists, which preferentially activate somatodendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors, suggesting that F15599 may be particularly useful in the treatment of depression and of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.

Despite the vast amount of research on schizophrenia and depression in the past two decades, there have been few innovative drugs to treat these disorders. Precompetitive research collaborations between companies and academic groups can help tackle this innovation deficit, as illustrated by the achievements of the IMI-NEWMEDS consortium.

Non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists are widely used as pharmacological models of schizophrenia due to their ability to evoke the symptoms of the illness. Likewise, serotonergic hallucinogens, acting on 5-HT2A receptors, induce perceptual and behavioural alterations possibly related to psychotic symptoms. The neurobiological basis of these alterations is not fully elucidated. Data obtained in recent years revealed that the NMDA receptor antagonist phencyclidine (PCP) and the serotonergic hallucinogen 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane; DOI) produce a series of common actions in rodent prefrontal cortex (PFC) that may underlie psychotomimetic effects. Hence, both agents markedly disrupt PFC function by altering pyramidal neuron discharge (with an overall increase) and reducing the power of low frequency cortical oscillations (LFCO; < 4 Hz). In parallel, PCP increased c-fos expression in excitatory neurons of various cortical areas, the thalamus and other subcortical structures, such as the amygdala. Electrophysiological studies revealed that PCP altered similarly the function of the centromedial and mediodorsal nuclei of the thalamus, reciprocally connected with PFC, suggesting that its psychotomimetic properties are mediated by an alteration of thalamocortical activity (the effect of DOI was not examined in the thalamus). Interestingly, the observed effects were prevented or reversed by the antipsychotic drugs clozapine and haloperidol, supporting that the disruption of PFC activity is intimately related to the psychotomimetic activity of these agents. Overall, the present experimental model can be successfully used to elucidate the neurobiological basis of schizophrenia symptoms and to examine the potential antipsychotic activity of new drugs in development., Supported by the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking (IMI) under Grant Agreement No. 115008 (NEWMEDS). IMI is a public–private partnership between the European Union and the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations. Support from the following grants is also acknowledged: SAF 2012-35183 (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and European Regional Development Fund), PI09/1245 and PI12/00156 (PN de I+D+I 2008-2011, ISCIII-Subdireccion General de Evaluación y Fomento de la Investigación cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund. ‘Una manera de hacer Europa’) and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM (P82, 11INT3). Support from the Generalitat de Catalunya (SGR20093) is also acknowledged. P.C. is supported by the Researcher Stabilization Program of the Health Department of the Generalitat de Catalunya. M.R. is recipient of an IDIBAPS fellowship.

Póster presentado en el IX Simposi de Neurobiologia Experimental, celebrado los días 22 y 23 de octubre de 2014 en Barcelona y organizado por la Societat Catalana de Biologia del Institut d'Estudis Catalans, Background: The neurobiological basis of action of noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate acid receptor (NMDA-R) antagonists is poorly understood. Electrophysiological studies indicate that phencyclidine (PCP) markedly disrupts neuronal activity with an overall excitatory effect and reduces the power of low-frequency oscillations (LFO; 4 Hz) in thalamocortical networks 1,2 . Because the reticular nucleus of the thalamus (RtN) provides tonic feed-forward inhibition to the rest of the thalamic nuclei, we examined the effect of PCP on RtN activity, under the working hypothesis that NMDA-R blockade in RtN would disinhibit thalamocortical networks. Methods: Drug effects (PCP followed by clozapine) on the activity of RtN (single unit and local field potential recordings) and prefrontal cortex (PFC; electrocorticogram) in anesthetized rats were assessed. Results: PCP (.25–.5 mg/kg, intravenous) reduced the discharge rate of 19 of 21 RtN neurons to 37% of baseline (p, Spanish grants from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SAF2012–23678) and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI12/00156, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, ERDF). EU grant NEWMEDS (Innovative Medicines Initiative, grant agreement 115008)

Rationale: F13640 (befiradol) is a novel 5-HT1A receptor agonist with exceptional selectivity vs. other receptors and binding sites. It shows analgesic activity in animal models and is currently developed for human use. Objectives: Given the potential dual role of the serotonergic system in pain, through the modulation of ascending signals in spinal cord and their emotional processing by corticolimbic areas, we examined the in vivo activity of F13640 at somatodendritic autoreceptors and postsynaptic 5-HT 1A heteroreceptors in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Methods: In vivo single unit recordings and intracerebral microdialysis in the rat. Results: F13640 reduced the activity of dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons at 0.2-18.2 μg kg -1, i.v. (cumulative doses; ED50=0.69 μg kg -1, i.v.) and increased the discharge rate of 80% of mPFC pyramidal neurons in the same dose range (ED50=0.62 μg kg -1, i.v.). Both effects were reversed by the subsequent administration of the 5-HT 1A receptor antagonist (±)WAY100635. In microdialysis studies, F13640 (0.04-0.63 mg kg -1, i.p.) dose-dependently decreased extracellular 5-HT in the hippocampus and mPFC. Likewise, F13640 (0.01-2.5 mg kg -1, i.p.) dose-dependently increased extracellular DA in mPFC, an effect dependent on the activation of postsynaptic 5-HT 1A receptors in mPFC. Local perfusion of F13640 in mPFC (1-1,000 μM) also increased extracellular DA in a concentration-dependent manner. Both the systemic and local effects of F13640 were prevented by prior (±)WAY100635 administration. Conclusions These results indicate that, upon systemic administration, F13640 activates both 5-HT 1A autoreceptors and postsynaptic 5-HT 1A receptors in prefrontal cortex with a similar potency. Both activities are likely involved in the analgesic properties of the compound. © Springer-Verlag 2011., This work was supported by grants SAF 2007-62378, FIS PI060264, FIS PI09/1245 (PN I+D+I 2008-2011, ISCIII-Subdirección General de Investigación y Fomento de la Investigación), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM and Pierre Fabre Medicament. L. L.-P. was supported by a JAE fellowship from CSIC. P. C. is supported by the Researcher Stabilization Program of the Health Department of the Generalitat de Catalunya.

Este trabajo fue presentado a la Barcelona Computational and Systems Neuroscience Meeting (BARCSYN) celebrada en junio de 2010., 5-HT 1A receptors (5-HT1AR) are expressed by pyramidal and γ-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) neurons in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Endogenous serotonin inhibits mPFC pyramidal neurons via 5-HT1AR while 5-HT1AR agonists, given systemically, paradoxically excite ventral tegmental area-projecting pyramidal neurons. This enhances mesocortical dopamine function, a process involved in the superior efficacy of atypical antipsychotic drugs on negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Moreover, the 5-HT1AR-induced increase of pyramidal discharge may also contribute to the maintenance of activity patterns required for working memory, impaired in schizophrenia. Given the importance of these processes, we examined the neurobiological basis of pyramidal activation through 5-HT1AR using the prototypical agent 8-OH-DPAT. (±)8-OH-DPAT (7.5 μg/kg i.v.) increased discharge rate and c-fos expression in rat mPFC pyramidal neurons. Local blockade of GABAA inputs with gabazine (SR-95531) avoided (±)8-OH-DPAT-induced excitations of pyramidal neurons. Moreover, (±)8-OH-DPAT administration reduced the discharge rate of mPFC fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons at doses exciting pyramidal neurons. Activation of other 5-HT1AR subpopulations (raphe nuclei or hippocampus) does not appear to contribute to pyramidal excitations. Overall, the present data suggest a preferential action of (±)8-OH-DPAT on 5-HT1AR in GABAergic interneurons. This results in pyramidal disinhibition and subsequent downstream excitations of subcortical structures reciprocally connected with PFC, such as midbrain dopaminergic neurons. © 2011 The Author., Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS) (grants FIS PI060264, FIS PI09/1245) from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Instituto de Salud Carlos III); Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM; JAE fellowship from CSIC (to L.L.-P.); Researcher Stabilization Program of the Health Department of the Generalitat de Catalunya (to P.C.). We also acknowledge support from the Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking (IMI) under Grant Agreement N115008 (NEWMEDS).

Poster presentado en el 26th ECNP (European College of Neuropsychopharmacology) Congress, celebrado del 5 al 9 de octubre de 2013, en Barcelona (Espana)

Poster presentado en el 26th ECNP (European College of Neuropsychopharmacology) Congress, celebrado del 5 al 9 de octubre de 2013, en Barcelona (Espana)

Poster presentado en el 15th Biennial Meeting of the European Behavioural Pharmacology Society (EPBS), celebrado del 6 al 9 de septiembre de 2013 en La Rochelle (Francia)

Trabajo presentado al EMBO Workshop: Cortical Interneurons in Health and Disease celebrado en Mallorca de 24 al 27 de junio de 2012.