Modulation of Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor by a Single Dose of Ayahuasca: Observation From a Randomized Controlled Trial.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.
PubMed 31231276 · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01234
What was done
Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were measured at baseline and 48 hours (D2) after administration of a single dose of ayahuasca or placebo in healthy controls (N = 45) and patients with treatment-resistant depression (N = 28; 14 ayahuasca, 14 placebo; total post-treatment N = 69: 35 ayahuasca, 34 placebo) within a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Relationships between BDNF, baseline serum cortisol, and depressive symptoms were also assessed.
What was found
Baseline serum BDNF did not predict major depression or clinical characteristics, but it correlated negatively with baseline cortisol in eucortisolemic subjects and was lower in hypocortisolemic participants. At 48 hours post-dose, BDNF levels were significantly higher in participants who received ayahuasca (N = 35) than in those who received placebo (N = 34) across both healthy controls and depressed patients. Among patients with depression at D2, a significant negative correlation emerged between serum BDNF levels and depressive symptoms in the ayahuasca group (N = 14), but not in the placebo group (N = 14). Exact numerical concentrations, effect sizes, and p-values were not provided in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study provides initial randomized trial evidence linking the acute antidepressant effects of a serotonergic psychedelic to increases in circulating neurotrophic factors in treatment-resistant depression.
Limits
The clinical sample was small (28 patients with depression, with only 14 receiving ayahuasca). BDNF was evaluated only at a single post-treatment timepoint (48 hours), preventing assessment of long-term neurotrophic dynamics, and the abstract omits exact point estimates, variance, and p-values.
Cited by
- supports Peripheral BDNF levels can be detected in blood and are observed to increase after psychedelic use.