Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Rationale
Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide that modulates both physiological and emotional responses to threat. Until recently, drugs that target vasopressin receptors (V1a) in the human central nervous system were unavailable. The development of a novel V1a receptor antagonist, SRX246, permits the experimental validation of vasopressin's role in the regulation of anxiety and fear in humans.Objectives
Here, we examined the effects of SRX246 in a proof-of-concept translational paradigm of fear (phasic response to imminent threat) and anxiety (prolonged response to potential threat).Methods
Healthy volunteers received both SRX246 and placebo in a randomized, double-blind, counter-balanced order separated by a 5-7-day wash-out period. Threat consisted of unpleasant electric shocks. The "NPU" threat test probed startle reactivity during predictable threat (i.e., fear-potentiated startle) and unpredictable threat (i.e., anxiety-potentiated startle).Results
As predicted, SRX246 decreased anxiety-potentiated startle independent of fear-potentiated startle.Conclusions
As anxiety-potentiated startle is elevated in anxiety and trauma-associated disorders and decreased by traditional anxiolytics such as SSRIs and benzodiazepines, the V1a receptor is a promising novel treatment target.
SUBMITTER: Lago TR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8376758 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Lago Tiffany R TR Brownstein Michael J MJ Page Emily E Beydler Emily E Manbeck Adrienne A Beale Alexis A Roberts Camille C Balderston Nicholas N Damiano Eve E Pineles Suzanne L SL Simon Neal N Ernst Monique M Grillon Christian C
Psychopharmacology 20210510 9
<h4>Rationale</h4>Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide that modulates both physiological and emotional responses to threat. Until recently, drugs that target vasopressin receptors (V1a) in the human central nervous system were unavailable. The development of a novel V1a receptor antagonist, SRX246, permits the experimental validation of vasopressin's role in the regulation of anxiety and fear in humans.<h4>Objectives</h4>Here, we examined the effects of SRX246 in a proof-of-concept trans ...[more]