Example 16
An in vitro model is used to examine whether psilocybin, the active metabolite of psilocybin, is effective for the treatment of migraine. In this study, levels of calcitonin-gene related peptide (CGRP) secretion are examined in KCl-treated rat neuronal cells in culture. High doses of KCl (e.g., 60 mM) result in toxic over-activation of trigeminal neurons and subsequent CGRP secretion. CGRP plays an integral role in migraine pathology by causing vasodilation and inflammation, which results in pain.
Briefly, trigeminal ganglion (TG) cells are isolated from rats and seeded in tissue culture flasks according to a standard protocol. Cells are maintained at 37′C in a 5% C02 atmosphere.
After the TG cells have adhered, they are washed and treated with 60 mM KCl and either vehicle control or psilocin (0.1 μM, 0.3 μM, 1 μM, 3 μM or 10 μM) for 24 hours. Cells and supernatants are harvested according to standard techniques, and CGRP protein levels are measured.
