Results
- Showing results for:
- Reset all filters
Search results
-
Journal articleLuppi AI, Mediano PAM, Rosas FE, et al., 2024,
A synergistic workspace for human consciousness revealed by integrated information decomposition
, eLife, Vol: 12, ISSN: 2050-084XHow is the information-processing architecture of the human brain organised, and how does its organisation support consciousness? Here, we combine network science and a rigorous information-theoretic notion of synergy to delineate a ‘synergistic global workspace’, comprising gateway regions that gather synergistic information from specialised modules across the human brain. This information is then integrated within the workspace and widely distributed via broadcaster regions. Through functional MRI analysis, we show that gateway regions of the synergistic workspace correspond to the human brain’s default mode network, whereas broadcasters coincide with the executive control network. We find that loss of consciousness due to general anaesthesia or disorders of consciousness corresponds to diminished ability of the synergistic workspace to integrate information, which is restored upon recovery. Thus, loss of consciousness coincides with a breakdown of information integration within the synergistic workspace of the human brain. This work contributes to conceptual and empirical reconciliation between two prominent scientific theories of consciousness, the Global Neuronal Workspace and Integrated Information Theory, while also advancing our understanding of how the human brain supports consciousness through the synergistic integration of information.
-
Journal articlePasculli G, Busan P, Jackson ES, et al., 2024,
Psychedelics in developmental stuttering to modulate brain functioning: a new therapeutic perspective?
, FRONTIERS IN HUMAN NEUROSCIENCE, Vol: 18, ISSN: 1662-5161 -
Journal articleIzmi N, Kettner H, Carhart-Harris R, et al., 2024,
Psychological effects of psychedelics in adolescents
, Frontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Vol: 3, ISSN: 2813-4540This study aimed to investigate differences in long-term psychological effects, acute subjective effects, and side effects associated with psychedelic use in adolescents (aged 16–24), compared with adults (aged 25+). Data from two observational online survey cohorts was pooled, involving adolescents (average age 20.4 ± 2.2, N = 435) and adults (average age 36.5 ± 9.7, range = 25–71, N = 654) who self-initiated a psychedelic experience and were tracked via online surveys from a pre-experience baseline to four weeks post-use. Self-reported measures of well-being were collected one week before, and two and four weeks after psychedelic use. Acute subjective drug effects, dosage and contextual variables pertaining to the setting of use were measured on the day after the session. Repeated-measures analyses of covariance, t- and z-tests, as well as exploratory correlational and regression analyses tested differences in psychological changes, acute drug effects, and side effects between the two groups. Psychological well-being significantly improved in adolescents two and four weeks following psychedelic use, with a clinically relevant mean change score of 3.3 points (95% CI: 1.1–5.5). on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale [F(1.8, 172.9) = 13.41, η2G = .04, p < .001], statistically indistinguishable from changes in adults. Acute subjective effects differed between the age groups; adolescents reported significantly higher challenging experiences and ego-dissolution. In adolescents, visual symptoms related to “hallucinogen persisting perceptual disorder” (HPPD) were reported at a higher prevalence than in adults (73.5% vs. 34.2%, p < .001) but were reported as distressing by only one adolescent participant. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective study to examine the psychological
-
Journal articleBornemann J, Close JB, Ahmad K, et al., 2024,
Study protocol for “Psilocybin in patients with fibromyalgia: brain biomarkers of action”
, Frontiers in Psychiatry, Vol: 15, ISSN: 1664-0640Background: Chronic pain is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Fibromyalgia is a particularly debilitating form of widespread chronic pain. Fibromyalgia remains poorly understood, and treatment options are limited or moderately effective at best. Here, we present a protocol for a mechanistic study investigating the effects of psychedelic-assisted-therapy in a fibromyalgia population. The principal focus of this trial is the central mechanism(s) of psilocybin-therapy i.e., in the brain and on associated mental schemata, primarily captured by electroencephalography (EEG) recordings of the acute psychedelic state, plus pre and post Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).Methods: Twenty participants with fibromyalgia will complete 8 study visits over 8 weeks. This will include two dosing sessions where participants will receive psilocybin at least once, with doses varying up to 25mg. Our primary outcomes are 1) Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZc) recorded acutely using EEG, and the 2) the (Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ) measured at baseline and primary endpoint. Secondary outcomes will aim to capture broad aspects of the pain experience and related features through neuroimaging, self-report measures, behavioural paradigms, and qualitative interviews. Pain Symptomatology will be measured using the Brief Pain Inventory Interference Subscale (BPI-IS), physical and mental health-related function will be measured using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). Further neurobiological investigations will include functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (changes from baseline to primary endpoint), and acute changes in pre- vs post-acute spontaneous brain activity – plus event-related potential functional plasticity markers, captured via EEG.Discussion: The results of this study will provide valuable insight into the brain mechanisms involved in the action of psilocybin-therapy for fibromyalgia with potential implications for the therapeutic actio
-
Journal articleLynskey MT, Thurgur H, Athanasiou-Fragkouli A, et al., 2024,
Prescribed Medical Cannabis Use Among Older Individuals: Patient Characteristics and Improvements in Well-Being: Findings from T21
, DRUGS & AGING, Vol: 41, Pages: 521-530, ISSN: 1170-229X -
Journal articleNutt D, Crome I, Young AH, 2024,
Is it now time to prepare psychiatry for a psychedelic future?
, BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY, ISSN: 0007-1250 -
Journal articleCopa D, Erritzoe D, Giribaldi B, et al., 2024,
Predicting the outcome of psilocybin treatment for depression from baseline fMRI functional connectivity
, JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS, Vol: 353, Pages: 60-69, ISSN: 0165-0327 -
Journal articlePeill J, Marguilho M, Erritzoe D, et al., 2024,
Psychedelics and the 'inner healer': Myth or mechanism?
, JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, Vol: 38, Pages: 417-424, ISSN: 0269-8811 -
Journal articleErritzoe D, Barba T, Spriggs MJ, et al., 2024,
Effects of discontinuation of serotonergic antidepressants prior to psilocybin therapy versus escitalopram for major depression
, JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, Vol: 38, Pages: 458-470, ISSN: 0269-8811 -
Journal articleSchlag AK, Nutt DJ, Lynskey M, 2024,
Using real world evidence to optimize care: the case of medical cannabis
, EXPERT REVIEW OF PHARMACOECONOMICS & OUTCOMES RESEARCH, Vol: 24, Pages: 463-465, ISSN: 1473-7167
This data is extracted from the Web of Science and reproduced under a licence from Thomson Reuters. You may not copy or re-distribute this data in whole or in part without the written consent of the Science business of Thomson Reuters.
