The area of Cellular Neurobiology brings together projects that investigate, at different levels of complexity, the fundamental mechanisms that support the functioning, plasticity, and degeneration of the nervous system. Combining innovative experimental models, ranging from simple organisms to human brain organoids, the studies seek to understand how cellular and molecular processes are modulated under physiological and pathological conditions. One of the central axes of this front is the investigation of the effects of psychedelic compounds on neural function, exploring their potential as tools to elucidate biological mechanisms and contribute to the advancement of therapeutic strategies in neurodegenerative diseases.
In the group led by Stevens Rehen, the research uses human brain organoids, living biological avatars of the brain cultivated in the laboratory from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), to investigate how psychedelic compounds influence neuroplasticity and the energy metabolism of neural cells. The uniqueness of the study lies in comparing cells derived from healthy individuals with patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, testing whether these substances can act as neuroprotective agents in a context of neurodegeneration. The initiative is supported by a decade of pioneering research from our team on the non-canonical effects of psychedelics on human neurons, a field that is emerging as one of the most promising frontiers of translational neuroscience.
The project is currently in full execution, with initial results indicating promising discoveries. The experimental model of Alzheimer’s Disease has already been validated, and the team is advancing in the integration of complementary technologies, such as multi-electrode arrays (MEA), which allow monitoring the electrical activity of neural networks in real-time, and luminescent biosensors capable of measuring metabolites without compromising the viability of the organoids. Combined with molecular analyses, these approaches seek to map the mechanisms by which psychedelic compounds can promote cellular resilience, in addition to contributing to a deeper understanding of the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
In the research line conducted by Ivan Domith, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is used as an experimental model to investigate mechanisms of longevity, neuroprotection, and neurodegeneration. This approach allows for the analysis, in a living organism, of behavioral, cellular, and molecular responses to bioactive compounds of biomedical interest, with the potential to reveal conserved pathways of aging and neural function. In this context, the studies also explore the effects of psychedelic substances on biological processes related to longevity, cellular homeostasis, and the integrity of the nervous system.
Recent results from this line of research indicate important advances in understanding some promising effects of psychedelics. In 2024, the group showed that C. elegans can be used as a living model to study the effects of LSD on behavior, helping to understand how this substance acts in the body and the nervous system. More recently, studies also indicated that LSD may influence processes related to healthy aging in the nematode, including markers associated with longevity and cellular balance. Together, these findings reinforce the potential of C. elegans as a useful experimental platform for investigating aging mechanisms and supporting research on compounds with possible relevance for neurodegenerative diseases.
See also other related content
