Psychiatria pre prax 4/2005
ANXIOLYTICS AND THEIR MECHANISM OF ACTION
Anxiety diseases are one of the most frequent psychic disorders. Drugs, which are currently used, act mainly on GABAergic (benzodiazepines) or serotonergic (antidepressants) systems. This review summarizes the main mechanisms of action of anxiolytics and shows other possible options of anxiety treatment. The current therapy of anxiety is non-specific and thus researchers are still finding other neuromediator systems to influence. The most promising systems in the development of new anxiolytics are noradrenergic system, corticotropin-releasing factor receptors, neurokinin, cholecystokinin or glutamatergic NMDA receptors.
Keywords: anxiety, anxiolytics, benzodiazepines, SSRI.
