The experimental psychosis observed after drinking Hoasca reproduces the pathologic transmethylation theory of schizophrenia. The occurrence of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in the Hoasca drink and in the urine samples of subjects supports now that the biological and neuropsychological effects are produced by this methylated indolealkylamine assisted by the βcarboline derivatives. These results ...

Pinoline, 6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-carboline, is a serotonin analog that selectively inhibits the activity of monoamine oxidase-A and shows antidepressant activity. Our previous study using a panel of recombinant cytochrome P450 (P450) enzymes suggests that pinoline O-demethylation may be selectively catalyzed by polymorphic CYP2D6. The current study, therefore, aimed to delineate the impac...

Befloxatone is a competitive and reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-A (MAOI-A). The aim of the study was to characterize the in vivo properties of [C]befloxatone and to validate its use as a ligand for the study of MAO-A by positron emission tomography (PET). PET studies were performed in baboons after i.v. injection of [C]befloxatone (551 70 MBq, i.e.14.9 1.9 mCi). [C]Befloxatone enters...

The last two decades have seen a steady increase in the number of publications devoted to ayahuasca. This fascinating psychotropic plant tea has attracted the attention of biomedical and psychological scientists. Researchers have gathered data on the physiological impact of ayahuasca administration to humans and have assessed the consequences of long term regular use. Acute administration studi...