Beyond the benzodiazepines: The search for new anxiolytics. A summary of pre‐clinical approaches

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The clinical efficacy of the benzodiazepines in reducing anxiety is widely accepted. However, the search for novel anxiolytics continues, motivated by the hope of finding a non‐sedative anxiolytic. This article reviews the pre‐clinical evidence for new compounds as it relates both to their anxiolytic actions in animal tests and to their sedative potential. Drugs acting at sites on the GABA‐benzodiazepine receptor complex are discussed, as well as the potential importance of aminergic and peptidergic pathways.