Key finding — All 12 patients showed reduced depression scores at one week; the majority maintained meaningful improvement at three months, suggesting feasibility and a strong signal worth larger controlled testing.
Study at a glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Institution | Imperial College London |
| Design | Open-label feasibility study (no control group) |
| Sample size | 12 participants |
| Intervention | Two psilocybin doses (10 mg then 25 mg) one week apart |
| Year | 2016 |
| Condition | Treatment-resistant depression |
| Journal | The Lancet Psychiatry |
| Evidence | emerging |
Limitations
Very small, open-label, no control group or blinding, high expectancy effects — a feasibility signal, not proof of efficacy.
Editorial note
The first modern trial of psilocybin specifically for treatment-resistant depression. Though small and uncontrolled, it generated the signal that motivated the larger randomized trials that followed.
Summary written by MMI Editorial for clarity. Always consult the primary source for full methodology and results. The confidence rating reflects our assessment of evidence strength.