Effect of Psilocybin and Ketamine on Brain Neurotransmitters, Glutamate Receptors, DNA and Rat Behavior

Clinical studies provide evidence that ketamine and psilocybin could be used as fast-acting antidepressants, though their mechanisms and toxicity are still not fully understood. To address this issue, we have examined the effect of a single administration of ketamine and psilocybin on the extracellular levels of neurotransmitters in the rat frontal cortex and reticular nucleus of the thalamus using microdialysis. The genotoxic effect and density of glutamate receptor proteins was measured with comet assay and Western blot, respectively. An open field test, light–dark box test and forced swim test were conducted to examine rat behavior 24 h after drug administration. Ketamine (10 mg/kg) and psilocybin (2 and 10 mg/kg) increased dopamine, serotonin, glutamate and GABA extracellular levels in the frontal cortex, while psilocybin also increased GABA in the reticular nucleus of the thalamus. Oxidative DNA damage due to psilocybin was observed in the frontal cortex and from both drugs in the hippocampus. NR2A subunit levels were increased after psilocybin (10 mg/kg). Behavioral tests showed no antidepressant or anxiolytic effects, and only ketamine suppressed rat locomotor activity. The observed changes in neurotransmission might lead to genotoxicity and increased NR2A levels, while not markedly affecting animal behavior

Body Image of Highly Trained Female Athletes Engaged in Different Types of Sport

Background. The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in body image across different types of sports in highly trained female athletes. Methods. 242 female individuals, aged 13–30 years (M=20.0, SD = 4.5), representing aesthetic sports (n=56) and nonaesthetic sports (n=186), were recruited from different sports clubs in Poland. Body image, BMI, age, the level of competition attained, and the training background of participants were recorded. Results. One-way ANOVA showed differences in the body image of athletes engaged in different types of sport (F(11,230)=4.10, p<0.001, and η2=0.16). The model predicting the body image of female athletes was significant (F(5,236)=10.40, p<0.001); the adjusted R2=0.163. Type of sport explained 7.1% (β=–0.263, p<0.001), age explained 4.5% (β=0.341,p<0.001), BMI explained 3.6% (β=–0.230,p<0.001), and level of competition explained 0.9% (β=0.153, p<0.05) of variance in body image. Conclusions. The findings provide vital new knowledge which can be used by researchers and practitioners in designing educational programs on weight-related behaviors in female athletes. Such programs should be implemented especially in young female athletes participating in high-level sporting activities at an early stage