Cholinergic Modulation of Disorder-Relevant Neural Circuits in Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Generalized anxiety disorder is associated with hyperactivity in the amygdala-prefrontal networks, and normalization of this aberrant function is thought to be critical for successful treatment. Preclinical evidence implicates cholinergic neurotransmission in the function of these systems and suggests that cholinergic modulation may have anxiolytic effects. However, the effects of cholinergic modulators on the function of anxiety-related networks in humans have not been investigated.

Methods

We administered a novel α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-negative allosteric modulator, BNC210, to 24 individuals (3 male subjects) with generalized anxiety disorder and assessed its effects on neural responses to fearful face stimuli.

Results

BNC210 reduced amygdala

SUBMITTER: Wise T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7198974 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature