Evaluating Psilocybin as a Treatment for Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease
Keywords:
Abstract
Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by motor symptoms due to dopaminergic degeneration and non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment, which significantly affect patients' quality of life. Traditional dopaminergic therapies address motor symptoms but offer limited efficacy for neuropsychiatric manifestations. Psilocybin, a serotonergic compound with strong affinity for the 5-HT2A receptor, has emerged as a promising candidate for addressing the complex symptomatology of PD, including its neuropsychiatric components. This review examines the pharmacological effects of psilocybin, particularly its ability to modulate serotonergic and dopaminergic systems, enhance neuroplasticity, and reduce neuroinflammation, offering a potential therapeutic approach for PD. While clinical research in PD remains limited, evidence from related conditions such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) supports the notion that psilocybin could modulate both motor and non-motor symptoms in PD.
Downloads
How to Cite
References
Ray Williams (2010) Parkinson Disease. 1-7.
Calvin Ly, Alexandra Greb, Lindsay Cameron, Jonathan Wong, Eden Barragan, Paige Wilson, Kyle Burbach, Sina Soltanzadeh Zarandi, Alexander Sood, Michael Paddy, Whitney Duim, Megan Dennis, A Mcallister, Kassandra Ori-Mckenney, John Gray, David Olson (2018) Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity. 23(11), 3170-3182.
Friederike Holze, Anna Becker, Karolina Kolaczynska, Urs Duthaler, Matthias Liechti (2023) Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Oral Psilocybin Administration in Healthy Participants. 113(4), 822-831.
R Griffiths, W Richards, U Mccann, R Jesse (2006) Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance. 187(3), 268-283.
A Mastinu, M Premoli, S Bonini (2023) Psilocybin for treating psychiatric disorders: Pharmacological profile and clinical perspectives. 149, 105320.
M Politis, K Wu, C Loane (2010) Serotonergic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease and its relevance to nonmotor symptoms. 107(37), 16087-16092.
P Fleury, D Goff, R Murray (2025) Psychedelic compounds as treatment strategies for neuropsychiatric symptoms in Parkinson's disease: Rationale and emerging evidence. 221, 109444.
P Bradley, J Holtman, S Haroutounian (2025) Psychedelic-assisted therapy for neurodegenerative diseases: Challenges and promises. 132(1), 87-95.
D Brengel, L Keller, H Möller (2024) Psychedelic drug-induced hyperconnectivity in the brain helps clarify altered subjective experiences. 108, 56-64.
Robin Carhart-Harris, Mark Bolstridge, James Rucker, Camilla Day, David Erritzoe, Mendel Kaelen, Michael Bloomfield, James Rickard, Ben Forbes, Amanda Feilding, David Taylor, Steve Pilling, Valerie Curran, David Nutt (2016) Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. 3(7), 619-627.
Joshua Rosenblat, Roger Mcintyre (2023) Augmentation in depression: Esketamine, a new standard?. 4(12), 852-854.
Masud Husain, Jonathan Roiser (2018) Neuroscience of apathy and anhedonia: a transdiagnostic approach. 19(8), 470-484.
S Fereydouni, C Andrade, E Osuch (2025) Serotonergic psychedelics and dopamine: An interaction with therapeutic implications ons. 97(4), 251-276.
De Deus, J Polari, A Maia, F (2025) Neuroinflammatory and plasticity pathways affected by psychedelics: Potential relevance to Parkinson's disease. 32, 100813.
D Herz, S Eickhoff, A Løkkegaard, H Siebner (2017) Functional neuroimaging of motor control in Parkinson's disease: A meta-analysis. 38(7), 3227-3247.
Published
2026-01-03
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Authors and Global Journals Private Limited
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.