Pharmacodynamic response profiles of anxiolytic and sedative drugs

ConclusionsCompared with the antihistaminergic sedative diphenhydramine, alprazolam and pregabalin caused larger SPV‐reduction, which was correlated with simultaneous improvement of subjective calmness, during a study day in which anxiety was stimulated repeatedly. The different effect profiles of the three drugs are in line with their pharmacological distinctions. These findings corroborate the profiling of CNS effects to demonstrate pharmacological selectivity, and further support SPV as biomarker for anxiolysis involving GABA‐ergic neurons. The study also supports the use of prolonged mild threat to demonstrate anxiolytic effects in healthy volunteers.

Source: British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology - November 30, 2016 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Xia Chen, Freerk Broeyer, Marieke Kam, Joke Baas, Adam Cohen, Joop Gerven Tags: CLINICAL TRIALS Source Type: research