The pharmacology of new anxiolytics acting on 5-HT neurones.

This paper discusses the alternative approaches available for the development of anxiolytics not acting on the benzodiazepine--GABA receptor complex. There are now several compounds that work by reducing 5-hydroxytryptamine function in the brain that have been shown to have anxiolytic properties in animals and in some cases man. Detailed long-term clinical trials are required to determine whether these new drugs are clinically useful and avoid the problems associated with benzodiazepines.