The Cellular Neurobiology area brings together projects investigating, at different levels of complexity, the fundamental mechanisms that sustain the function, plasticity, and degeneration of the nervous system. By combining innovative experimental models — 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 central axis of this work 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 for neurodegenerative diseases.
In the group led by Stevens Rehen, the research uses human brain organoids — living biological avatars of the brain grown in the lab from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) — to investigate how psychedelic compounds influence neuroplasticity and the energy metabolism of neural cells. The study’s distinctive feature is comparing cells derived from healthy individuals with those from patients with Alzheimer’s disease, testing whether these substances can act as neuroprotective agents in the context of neurodegeneration. The initiative builds on a decade of pioneering research by our team on the non-canonical effects of psychedelics in human neurons, a field that is emerging as one of the most promising frontiers of translational neuroscience.
The project is fully underway, with early results indicating promising findings. The experimental model of Alzheimer’s disease has already been validated, and the team is advancing in the integration of complementary technologies, such as multielectrode arrays (MEA), which allow real-time monitoring of the electrical activity of neural networks, and luminescent biosensors capable of measuring metabolites without compromising organoid viability. Combined with molecular analyses, these approaches aim to map the mechanisms by which psychedelic compounds can promote cellular resilience, while also contributing to a deeper understanding of the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
In the research line led by Ivan Domith, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is used as an experimental model to investigate mechanisms of longevity, neuroprotection, and neurodegeneration. This approach makes it possible to analyze, in a living organism, 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 linked to longevity, cellular homeostasis, and the integrity of the nervous system.
Recent results from this research line point to 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 on the organism and the nervous system. More recently, the studies have also indicated that LSD may influence processes linked to healthy aging in the nematode, including markers associated with longevity and cellular balance. Together, these findings strengthen the potential of C. elegans as a useful experimental platform to investigate aging mechanisms and support research on compounds with possible relevance to neurodegenerative diseases.
