anxiety

Question 1

which parts are associated with the feeling of anxiety

Answer 1

involves the stress response (hypothalamic-
pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis) and amygdala

Question 2

which neurotransmitters are associated with the anxiety

Answer 2

GABA
- GABAergic signalling is believed to be reduced/impaired
- the major pharmaceutical agents, benzodiazepines, act here
5-HT
- low 5-HT neurotransmission linked with anxiety
- 5-HT1A activation is anxiogenic acutely, anxiolytic long-term
- 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors also involved
NE
- high NE neurotransmission linked with anxiety
- possibly through activation of beta adrenergic receptors
DA
- low DA neurotransmission linked with anxiety
- possibly via impaired prefrontal control of the amygdala
- DA transporter and receptors are lower in anxiety disorders

Question 3

what is Benzodiazepines

Answer 3

Positive allosteric modulators of the GABAA receptor
effect depends on subunit combination and location within the CNS
- e.g. anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic, anticonvulsive
- anxiolysis involves receptors with a2 and a3 subunits

Question 4

give me name of a few benzodiazepines for anxiety disorders

Answer 4

diazepam (Valium)
alprazolam (Xanax)
lorazepam (Ativan)
lorazepam (Ativan)

Question 5

explain buspirone

Answer 5

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder
• immediate-release tablet
• may take 4+ weeks to see effects
• agonist at 5-HT1A receptors (presynaptic autoreceptors = ↓ 5-HT release)
• antagonist at D2 receptors (presynaptic autoreceptors = ↑ DA release)