Neuroeconomics

Beta blockers also block memories

Yahoo has clips from a recent 60 minutes special posted online on using propanolol to 'weaken' the memories associated with highly stressful events. Propanolol is a beta blocker, and epinephrine is a beta agonist. All sorts of beta receptors in the amygdala, which is the next door neighbors with the hippocampus; presently thought of as the seat of memory.

If you're teaching a psychopharmacology class, here's another chance to show a movie in class. Another popular take on the article is here, and the published article in Biological Psychology is here.

Ketamine as a treatement for depression

Following up on our previous post on magic mushrooms, the Washington Post is reporting that NIMH researchers have reported success using ketamine (commonly used as an anesthetic) to treat patients with multi-drug resistant depression. Apparently the study is still in progress and currently enrolling participants. Taken with the research on psilocybin, it seems to be that taboos are weakening when it comes to research on compounds which are frequently used for recreational purposes.

Perhaps from over-usage of their own medicine, researchers who advocated for the use of LSD in psychology have appeared kooky, at best and the cause of compassion towards cancer patients is only hurt when everyone showing up to the medical marijuana rally is wearing tie-dye. All of this leads to a backlash by conservative elements against serious study. But ketamine has been around since the 60's, and I think that it was the abuse of the drug rather than it's clinical use which lead to more robust study culminating with the results obtained by NIMH.

Serotonin and well-being

The serotonin system activated by psilocybin does seem heavily involved in both spiritual experience and well-being (e.g., many antidepressans simply increase available serotonin).

Another serotonin system activator, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (a.k.a ecstasy), hit the news a few years ago for research approved at Harvard where the drug was hypothesized to allow terminally ill patients time to enjoy with their families without sedation.  Psilocybin has been used in a similar study, where it is shown to improve mood and rapport with family as well as reduce anxiety and produce long-term reductions in pain.  Scientists have discussed the possibility of studying similar agonists for every-day mental disorders or to enhance therapy.

Psilocybin for the treatment of depression?

There has been a lot of discussion on a study whereby individuals self report mystical experiences following administration of psilocybin. Dose administered was 30mg/70kg, and although psilocybin is the active compound in "magic mushrooms", those of you wishing to attempt an at-home replication of this study may wish to hold off unless you have access to Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy as the concentration of psilocybin in mushrooms is highly variable.

Psilocybin is a serotonin agonist, and although the mystical experience aspect might not be initially relevant, what is interesting is that experimental subjects reported that the experience resulted in a positive and long term changes in mood after only one or two administrations 2 months apart. Hopefully a study in the near future will use a similar design incorporating patients suffering from depression.

We Need to Find Another Way to Select Undergraduates for Admission to Law School

A1 of today's Wall Street Journal features a story (WSJ.com is offering free access this week, after that you'll have to go scrounging on Factiva) on how students are taking drugs that are usually prescribed for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to improve their scores on standardized tests.

At the moment, Adderall seems to be the drug of choice, the active ingredient being dextroamphetamine saccharate. You might recognize the root, amphetamine which is closely related to methamphetamine more commonly known as crystal meth, or speed.

Dextroamphetamine is kind of like Prozac except that instead of inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, it inhibits the reuptake of Dopamine. Cocaine functions in the same way, with the added bonus of blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, as well as dopamine.

You might not know it, but dopamine is your favorite neurotransmitter. It is implicated in every positive experience you have ever had in your life. All reward stimulation is facilitated by the release of dopamine. Finishing a marathon, great sex, a tasty hamburger, whatever. Drugs associated with ADHD manipulate human behavior at the most basic level. The theory is that children who are hyperactive are seeking additional stimulation. Providing that stimulation via chemicals reduces hyperactivity.

Highlights of the article include the fact that the organization that administers the SAT has no rules explicitly prohibiting drug use, and the fact that some of these kids are going to their parents to get help acquiring these drugs.

What are we doing wrong in society where parents are seeking out drugs to help their children improve their scores on standardized tests?

Let's follow the incentives: Schools use standardized testing as a primary sorting mechanism for admissions because its easier than reading essays. Because test scores are such an important factor in admissions, students (and parents) feel like the rest of their lives are determined by a test score.  High test scores are so valuable; some students will go to great lengths to gain an edge over their peers.

Please submit a urine sample with your completed answer sheet.