The role of brain gaseous neurotransmitters in anxiety

16Citations
Citations of this article
54Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

Although anxiety is perhaps one of the most significant current medical and social problems, the neurochemical mechanistic background of this common condition remains to be fully understood. Multifunctional regulatory gasotransmitters are novel, atypical inorganic factors of the brain that are involved in the mechanisms of anxiety responses. Nitric oxide (NO) signaling shows ambiguous action in animal models of anxiety, while NO donors exert anxiogenic or anxiolytic effect depending on their chemical structure, dose, treatment schedule and gas release rapidity. The majority of NO synthase inhibitors act as a relatively potent axiolytic agents, while hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon monoxide (CO) delivered experimentally in the form of “slow” or “fast” releasing donors have recently been considered as anxiolytic neurotransmitters. In this comprehensive review we critically summarize the literature regarding the intriguing roles of NO, H2S and CO in the neuromolecular mechanisms of anxiety in the context of their putative, yet promising therapeutic application. A possible mechanism of gasotransmitter action at the level of anxiety-related synaptic transmission is also presented. Brain gasesous neuromediators urgently require further wide ranging studies to clarify their potential value for the current neuropharmacology of anxiety disorders.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Pałasz, A., Menezes, I. C., & Worthington, J. J. (2021, April 1). The role of brain gaseous neurotransmitters in anxiety. Pharmacological Reports. Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43440-021-00242-2

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free