Center of Neuropharmacology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy; and institute of Pharmacology, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Benzodiazepines are the most wid ely used and prescribed pharmacological agents in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Although their exact mechanism of action is unknown, evidence has demonstrated the role of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) in the anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, sedative-hypnotic effects elicited by these drugs (2,26). However, since the syndrome of anxiety encompasses a wide spectrum of symptoms, multiple biochemical sub­strates might be involved, especially when anxiety and depression coexist. In this report, the possible involvement of other neuronal systems, such as noradrenergic and serotonergic transmission, will be considered in the pathophysiology of anx­iety and depression.

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