Probing the functional magnetic resonance imaging response to psilocybin in functional neurological disorder
What is the purpose of this study?
The purpose of this study is to determine whether the substance called psilocybin changes the way that parts of the brain talk to each other in functional neurological disorder (FND).
What is the background to this study?
FND is a common problem and some people do not get better despite usual medical and psychological treatments. We do not yet fully understand why people develop FND, however there is emerging evidence that there are brain network changes which we can see on brain scans.
Psilocybin is the active ingredient of so-called ‘magic’ mushrooms. Psilocybin mushrooms have been used in ceremonial or healing rituals stretching back thousands of years. There are now dozens of clinical trials of psilocybin underway for brain disorders ranging from chronic headaches to treatment-resistant depression.
Evidence from studies and case reports of psilocybin in people with FND from the 20th century indicated that the substance is well tolerated. The data is not yet good enough for us to say with any certainty that people’s symptoms improved in these cases, but there was limited evidence for worsening of symptoms.
What will we do in this study?
This study will test whether the brain networks we think might be involved in FND can be changed by the administration of a single dose of psilocybin given with psychological support in a hospital setting. Brain networks communicate with each other in a coordinated fashion, and this communication is thought to be altered in FND. Every person who is enrolled in the study will receive a single active dose. Both you and the study team will be aware that you are receiving an active dose.
We are looking for 24 participants aged 25-60 years with functional neurological disorder that hasn’t improved despite the usual treatments to take part in this study.
Recruitment now open
To go to the online screening questionnaire please click here
