TY  - JOUR
AB  - BackgroundBinge
       eating disorder (BED) is the most prevalent eating disorder, often 
      associated with metabolic syndrome and other mental health 
      comorbidities. Despite its impact, current treatment options remain 
      limited. BED is associated with compulsive intake of foods typically 
      high in fat and sugar, as well as neuroplastic changes in brain regions 
      such as the nucleus accumbens, dorsal striatum, and prefrontal cortex. 
      Psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, has been shown to promote 
      neuroplasticity and may offer a novel intervention for compulsive 
      eating.Aims & ObjectivesThis
       study aimed to assess whether psilocybin reduces compulsive eating in a
       preclinical rodent model of BED. We hypothesised that psilocybin would 
      reduce compulsive-like eating in our rat model.Method44
       female rats were divided into four groups: Control + Saline, Control + 
      Psilocybin, Binge + Saline, and Binge + Psilocybin. Binge groups 
      received intermittent access to a high-fat/high-sugar (HFHS) diet 3x 
      p/week for 1 hour for 10 weeks. Control rats received standard chow 
      only. Compulsive eating was assessed using a conditioned suppression 
      paradigm which involved assessment of eating of HFHS at baseline and 
      then after 4 conditioning sessions. Psilocybin (2 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline
       was administered prior to the start of baseline acclimation sessions 
      and again immediately after the 4th conditioning session (approx. 24 
      hours before test). Baseline sessions (30min) occurred over 12 days 
      where rats were placed in fear-conditioning chambers with access to food
       (HFHS for binge groups, chow for controls). All rats then underwent 
      conditioning (4 x 30min daily session) where a light cue was paired with
       a 0.5 mA foot shock. On test day, the latency to start eating in the 
      presence of the cue was assessed as a measured of compulsive-like 
      behaviour towards HFHS.ResultsPsilocybin
       at the dose tested did not impact latency to start eating or food 
      intake on test day, but potentially affected freezing behaviour 
      (analysis is ongoing).Discussion & ConclusionsWhile
       psilocybin did not significantly reduce compulsive eating at the tested
       dose, its potential effects on fear conditioning may reflect modulation
       of learning and memory circuits. Ongoing molecular analyses will 
      further explore the possible underlying neurobiological mechanisms.
AU  - Fabila, N.*
AU  - Manaph, N.P.A.*
AU  - Rudkowsky, V.*
AU  - Sketriené, D.*
AU  - Li, Y.*
AU  - Anversa, R.G.*
AU  - Walker, L.C.*
AU  - Reichelt, A.C.*
AU  - Foldi, C.J.*
AU  - Menden, M.P.
AU  - Brown, R.M.*
C1  - 75371
C2  - 57952
SP  - ii55 - ii56
TI  - 694. Investigating the potential of psilocybin for compulsive eating in a rat model of binge eating.
JO  - Int. J. Neuropsychopharmacol.
VL  - 28
IS  - Supplement_2
PY  - 2025
SN  - 1461-1457
ER  -