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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.04.21.720014

Structural plasticity and enhanced fear extinction following psilocybin in chronically stressed mice

Knox, C. A.·Woodburn, S. C.·Gilbert, A. D.·Schlotzhauer, J. M.·Kwan, A. C.
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Abstract

The classic psychedelic psilocybin elicits long-lasting neural plasticity and behavioral effects, but prior studies largely examined stress-naive animals. Using longitudinal imaging, we show that psilocybin increases dendritic spine density in frontal cortical neurons and facilitates fear extinction after chronic restraint stress, demonstrating psilocybins effects in a translationally relevant mouse model.

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Knox, C. A., Woodburn, S. C., Gilbert, A. D., Schlotzhauer, J. M., Kwan, A. C.. 2026-04-22. Structural plasticity and enhanced fear extinction following psilocybin in chronically stressed mice. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.04.21.720014

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