New directions in the treatment of anxiety disorders

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2000

Journal

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Patents

Volume

10

Issue

4

DOI

10.1517/13543776.10.4.389

Keywords

5-HT receptor; Anxiety disorders; Anxiolytic; CCK receptor; Cholecystokinin; Corticotrophin-releasing factor; Corticotrophin-releasing hormone; GABA; GABA receptor; Neuropeptide Y; Neuropeptides; Serotonin receptor; Tachykinin; Tachykinin receptor

Abstract

Anxiety disorders play a prominent role in general medical and psychiatric practice, and their lack of recognition leads to significant morbidity. A major thrust of recent patent activity builds on clinical successes provided by serotonergic and GABA-ergic agents. A new understanding of the molecular basis for GABAA receptor subtype selectivity presents new possibilities for designing drugs that are highly specific for subpopulations of this receptor family. Despite a lack of clinical experience with less well-known neuropeptide agents, corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) antagonists appear promising. This paper reviews the most prevalent anxiety disorders, their pharmacological treatments and describes trends in therapeutic patent activity since 1997.

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