Corrigendum: Safety, feasibility, tolerability, and clinical effects of repeated psilocybin dosing combined with non-directive support in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial with blinded ratings.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1278823.].

Psilocybin-assisted group therapy in patients with cancer diagnosed with a major depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Depression is common in patients with cancer and is associated with lower treatment adherence and reduced quality of life. Antidepressants and psychotherapy have limited success in improving depression among patients with cancer. This study explored the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy in patients with cancer and major depressive disorder. METHODS: This phase 2, open-label trial enrolled patients with curable and noncurable cancer and major depressive disorder at a single community oncology practice site. A single 25-mg dose of psilocybin was administered simultaneously to cohorts of three to four participants with individual (4.25 hours in 1:1 therapist-to-patient ratio) and group therapeutic support (3.75 hours) before, during, and after psilocybin administration. Outcomes included depression severity, anxiety, pain, demoralization, and disability. RESULTS: Thirty participants completed the study. No psilocybin-related serious adverse events occurred; treatment-related adverse events (e.g., nausea, headache) were generally mild and expected. There were no laboratory or electrocardiogram abnormalities. No suicidality was reported. Efficacy was suggested with a robust reduction in depression severity scores from baseline to posttreatment of 19.1 points (95% CI, 22.3 to -16.0; p < .0001) by week 8. Eighty percent of participants demonstrated a sustained response to psilocybin treatment; 50% showed full remission of depressive symptoms at week 1, which was sustained for 8 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Psilocybin-assisted therapy in group cohort administration was safe and feasible in patients with cancer and depression. Efficacy was suggested based on clinically meaningful reductions in depressive symptoms. The novel, group-oriented format, compact delivery time, community cancer center setting, and one-to-one therapist-to-patient ratio could also add to therapeutic gains and efficiency of administration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04593563. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Depression is common in patients with cancer and associated with lower treatment adherence, reduced quality of life, and limited response to antidepressants and psychotherapy. We conducted a phase 2 trial to study a single dose of psilocybin administered in a group therapy setting with one-to-one therapist-to-participant psychological support to patients with curable and noncurable cancer and major depressive disorder. Findings of the study showed safety (no treatment-related serious adverse events or suicidality) with psilocybin and suggested efficacy, with a significant reduction in depression severity scores from baseline to posttreatment. Further investigation is warranted.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy improves psycho-social-spiritual well-being in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: While psychedelics have been shown to improve psycho-spiritual well-being, the underlying elements of this change are not well-characterized. The NIH-HEALS posits that psycho-social-spiritual change occurs through the factors of Connection, Reflection & Introspection, and Trust & Acceptance. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in NIH-HEALS scores in a cancer population with major depressive disorder undergoing psilocybin-assisted therapy. METHODS: In this Phase II, single-center, open label trial, 30 cancer patients with major depressive disorder received a fixed dose of 25 mg of psilocybin. Participants underwent group preparation sessions, simultaneous psilocybin treatment administered in adjacent rooms, and group integration sessions, along with individual care. The NIH-HEALS, a self-administered, 35-item measure of psycho-social spiritual healing was completed at baseline and post-treatment at day 1, week 1, week 3, and week 8 following psilocybin therapy. RESULTS: NIH-HEALS scores, representing psycho-social-spiritual wellbeing, improved in response to psilocybin treatment (p < 0.001). All three factors of the NIH-HEALS (Connection, Reflection & Introspection, and Trust & Acceptance) demonstrated positive change by 12.7 %, 7.7 %, and 22.4 %, respectively. These effects were apparent at all study time points and were sustained up to the last study interval at 8 weeks (p < 0.001). LIMITATIONS: The study lacks a control group, relies on a self-report measure, and uses a relatively small sample size with limited diversity that restricts generalizability. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that psilocybin-assisted therapy facilitates psycho-social-spiritual growth as measured by the NIH-HEALS and its three factors. This supports the factors of Connection, Reflection & Introspection, and Trust & Acceptance as underlying elements for psycho-social-spiritual healing in cancer patients, and validates the use of the NIH-HEALS within psychedelic research.

Safety, feasibility, tolerability, and clinical effects of repeated psilocybin dosing combined with non-directive support in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial with blinded ratings.

Background: To date, few randomized controlled trials of psilocybin with non-directive support exist for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Results and participant feedback from an interim analysis of an ongoing single-dose trial (NCT03356483) converged on the possibility of administering a higher fixed dose and/or more doses of psilocybin in future trials for presumably greater benefits. Objectives: This trial aims to evaluate the safety, feasibility, tolerability, and clinical effects of two doses of psilocybin paired with non-directive support in the treatment of OCD. This trial also seeks to examine whether two doses of psilocybin lead to greater OCD symptom reduction than a single dose, and to elucidate psychological mechanisms underlying the effects of psilocybin on OCD. Design: A randomized (1:1), waitlist-controlled design with blinded ratings will be used to examine the effects of two doses of oral psilocybin paired with non-directive support vs. waitlist control on OCD symptoms. An adaptive dose selection strategy will be implemented (i.e., first dose: 25 mg; second dose: 25 or 30 mg). Methods and analysis: This single-site trial will enroll 30 adult participants with treatment-refractory OCD. Aside from safety, feasibility, and tolerability metrics, primary outcomes include OCD symptoms assessed on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale - Second Edition (Y-BOCS-II). A blinded independent rater will assess primary outcomes at baseline and the primary endpoint at the end of the second dosing week. Participants will be followed up to 12 months post-second dosing. Participants randomized to waitlist will be rescreened after 7 weeks post-randomization, and begin their delayed treatment phase thereafter if still eligible. Ethics: Written informed consent will be obtained from participants. The institutional review board has approved this trial (protocol v. 1.7; HIC #2000032623). Discussion: This study seeks to advance our ability to treat refractory OCD, and catalyze future research seeking to optimize the process of psilocybin treatment for OCD through understanding relevant psychological mechanisms.Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05370911.

Reevaluation of Piezo1 as a gut RNA sensor.

Piezo1 is a stretch-gated ion channel required for mechanosensation in many organ systems. Recent findings point to a new role for Piezo1 in the gut, suggesting that it is a sensor of microbial single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) rather than mechanical force. If true, this would redefine the scope of Piezo biology. Here, we sought to replicate the central finding that fecal ssRNA is a natural agonist of Piezo1. While we observe that fecal extracts and ssRNA can stimulate calcium influx in certain cell lines, this response is independent of Piezo1. Additionally, sterilized dietary extracts devoid of gut biome RNA show similar cell line-specific stimulatory activity to fecal extracts. Together, our data highlight potential confounds inherent to gut-derived extracts, exclude Piezo1 as a receptor for ssRNA in the gut, and support a dedicated role for Piezo channels in mechanosensing.

The FACIT-Sp spiritual wellbeing scale: a factor analysis in patients with severe and/or life-limiting medical illnesses.

BACKGROUND: The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp) is a widely used measure of spiritual wellbeing. However, consensus on the best factor structure for this measure has not been reached. Both a 2-factor (Meaning/Peace, Faith) and a 3-factor (Meaning, Peace, Faith) structure are reported in the literature. In this study, we examined the factorial structure of the FACIT-Sp in a population of patients with severe and/or life-limiting medical illnesses. METHODS: The present study is a part of a larger study that validated the National Institute of Health-Healing Experiences of All Life Stressors (NIH-HEALS), a measure of psycho-social-spiritual healing developed by the Pain and Palliative Care Service at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (NIH-CC). The sample included 200 subjects who were recruited from the NIH Clinical Center inpatient units and outpatient clinics with severe and/or life limiting illnesses (cancer, non-genetic conditions, genetic conditions, blood dyscrasias). FACIT-Sp is a 12-item questionnaire scored on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = not at all; 4 = very much). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to analyze results and to identify the number of latent constructs and underlying factor structure. RESULTS: The results supported the 3-factor (Meaning, Peace, and Faith) model of the FACIT-Sp and accounted for the most variability (74.20%), followed by the 2-factor solution (64.95%). The identified factors related to Faith, Peace, and Meaning and were consistent with previously reported 3-factor model. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the 3-factor structure of FACIT-Sp. This information can inform interventions aimed at improving quality of life and spiritual wellbeing in clinical and palliative care settings.

Sertraline induces DNA damage and cellular toxicity in Drosophila that can be ameliorated by antioxidants.

Sertraline hydrochloride is a commonly prescribed antidepressant medication that acts by amplifying serotonin signaling. Numerous studies have suggested that children of women  taking sertraline during pregnancy have an increased risk of developmental defects. Resolving the degree of risk for human fetuses requires comprehensive knowledge of the pathways affected by this drug. We utilized a Drosophila melanogaster model system to assess the effects of sertraline throughout development. Ingestion of sertraline by females did not affect their fecundity or embryogenesis in their progeny. However, larvae that consumed sertraline experienced delayed developmental progression and reduced survival at all stages of development. Genetic experiments showed that these effects were mostly independent of aberrant extracellular serotonin levels. Using an ex vivo imaginal disc culture system, we showed that mitotically active sertraline-treated tissues accumulate DNA double-strand breaks and undergo apoptosis at increased frequencies. Remarkably, the sertraline-induced genotoxicity was partially rescued by co-incubation with ascorbic acid, suggesting that sertraline induces oxidative DNA damage. These findings may have implications for the biomedicine of sertraline-induced birth defects.