If a pharmaceutical company were looking for a drug that would maximally treat generalized anxiety disorder they would want one that ________

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Generalized anxiety disorder is thought to be caused by decreased levels of the neurotransmitter GABA and dysregulated levels of serotonin. Therefore, a drug that increases GABA levels while regulating serotonin would be most effective in treating this disorder. Option A is incorrect because suppressing the activity of the locus coeruleus (which releases norepinephrine) has been associated with reduced anxiety symptoms. Option B is incorrect because decreasing GABA levels would exacerbate anxiety symptoms, while increasing norepinephrine levels has mixed effects on anxiety. Option D is incorrect because decreasing serotonin levels would worsen anxiety symptoms, and the locus coeruleus is actually involved in the fight-or-flight response and is activated during anxiety.

If a Pharmaceutical Company Were Looking for a Drug That