Anxiety disorders: Treatments, models, and circuitry mechanisms

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide, imposing a significant burden on individuals affected by them and society in general. Current research endeavors aim to enhance the effectiveness of existing anxiolytic drugs and reduce their side effects through optimization or the development of new treatments. Several anxiolytic novel drugs have been produced as a result of discovery-focused research. However, many drug candidates that show promise in preclinical rodent model studies fail to offer any substantive clinical benefits to patients. This review provides an overview of the diagnosis and classification of anxiety disorders together with a systematic review of anxiolytic drugs with a focus on their targets, therapeutic applications, and side effects. It also provides a concise overview of the constraints and disadvantages associated with frequently administered anxiolytic drugs. Additionally, the study comprehensively reviews animal models used in anxiety studies and their associated molecular mechanisms, while also summarizing the brain circuitry related to anxiety. In conclusion, this article provides a valuable foundation for future anxiolytic drug discovery efforts. A comprehensive summary that offers a representative overview of the primary anxiolytic drugs, their neuropharmacological mechanisms, a systematic classification of anxiolytic drug research, animal models of anxiety, and the neural circuits associated with anxiety. Color should be used in print. • Novel drugs targeting the GABA and 5-HT systems exhibited high rates of failure. • Botanicals have emerged as promising anxiolytic drug candidates. • Unconditioned conflict models are the most widely used in anxiolytic drug discovery. • Eight key brain regions are related to the onset and treatment of anxiety.

Topics & Concepts