Increased anxiolytic effect in aged female rats and increased motoric behavior in aged male rats to acute alcohol administration: Comparison to younger animals.

The population of most countries in the world is increasing and understanding risk factors that can influence the health of the older population is critical. Older adults consume alcohol often in a risky, binge manner. Previous work has demonstrated that aged rats are more sensitive to many of the effects of acute ethanol. In the current project aged, adult, and adolescent female and male rats were tested on the elevated plus maze and open field following either a 1.0 g/kg alcohol injection or a saline injection. We report sex- and age-dependent effects whereas aged female rats, but not aged male rats, showed an increased anxiolytic effect of alcohol in the elevated plus maze while aged male rats, but not aged female rats, showed increased stimulatory movement in the open field. In addition, significant age effects were found for both female and male rats. It is proposed that the sex- and age-dependent effects reported in the current studies may be due to differential levels of alcohol-induced allopregnanolone for the anxiolytic effects and differential levels of alcohol-induced dopamine for the stimulatory effects. The current work provides insights into factors influencing alcohol consumption in older adults.

Psilocybin history, action and reaction: A narrative clinical review.

Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used in religious and cultural ceremonies for centuries. Of late, psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in hallucinogenic mushrooms, has received increased public interest as a novel drug for treating mood and substance use disorders (SUDs). In addition, in recent years, some states in the United States have legalized psilocybin for medical and recreational use. Given this, clinicians need to understand the potential benefits and risks related to using psilocybin for therapeutic purposes so that they can accurately advise patients. This expert narrative review summarizes the scientific basis and clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy for treating psychiatric disorders and SUDs. The results of this review are structured as a more extensive discussion about psilocybin's history, putative mechanisms of action, and recent legislative changes to its legal status. There is modest evidence of psilocybin-assisted therapy for treating depression and anxiety disorders. In addition, early data suggest that psilocybin-assisted therapy may effectively reduce harmful drinking in patients with alcohol use disorders. The evidence further suggests psilocybin, when administered under supervision (psilocybin-assisted therapy), the side effects experienced are mild and transient. The occurrence of severe adverse events following psilocybin administration is uncommon. Still, a recent clinical trial found that individuals in the psilocybin arm had increased suicidal ideations and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors. Given this, further investigation into the safety and efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy is warranted to determine which patient subgroups are most likely to benefit and which are most likely to experience adverse outcomes related to its use.