A Systematic Investigation on the Medicinal Use of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide

Abstract

Evidence points to several mechanistic relationships where lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) alters the serotonergic system in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and positively impacts ASD-related clinical outcomes. Clinically relevant endpoint measurements resulting from the interaction of LSD with various psychiatric disorders and the etiology of ASD were selected and analyzed for a review. Peer reviewed and publically available original scientific studies in humans, animal models, or cell cultures with LSD as the primary treatment and a reasonable sample size were included for review. The endpoint measurements selected for the review fall into the following categories: changes in neurotransmitters, physiological markers, metabolites and other intermediates, impact on brain connectivity, brain morphology and histology, receptor activity, and gene expression. The review intends to elucidate a promising mechanism of action through which LSD could be interacting with the factors responsible for the etiology of ASD. The overarching goal of the review is to illustrate the potential for the therapeutic use of LSD and its analogues towards the management of various psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders, including ASD. This review could reveal a refined hypothesis for future research in order to identify specific molecular targets of LSD or its analogues for the treatment and management of ASD.