Pharmacological facilitation of fear extinction and the search for adjunct treatments for anxiety disorders--the case of yohimbine.
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Holmes A, Quirk GJ
Pharmacological facilitation of fear extinction and the search for adjunct treatments for anxiety disorders--the case of yohimbine.
Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2010 Jan;31(1):2-7. doi: 10.1016/j.tips.2009.10.003. Epub 2009 Dec 28.
- PubMed ID
- 20036429 [ View in PubMed]
- Abstract
There is current interest in identifying drugs that facilitate fear extinction, as this form of learning is the basis of certain cognitive therapies for anxiety disorders. Following an initial report several years ago that the alpha2-adrenoreceptor antagonist yohimbine facilitated extinction in mice, more recent studies have shown mixed effects or even impairment. It has become clear that the effect of yohimbine on extinction depends on a number of factors, including genetic background, contextual variables and the presence of competing behaviors. To what extent theses effects of yohimbine are mediated through the alpha2-adrenoreceptor, as opposed to other sites of action, is also uncertain. More work is needed before this drug can be approved as a pharmacological adjunct for extinction-based therapies. More generally, the case of yohimbine may serve as a model for the development of other extinction facilitators.
DrugBank Data that Cites this Article
- Drugs
- Drug Targets
Drug Target Kind Organism Pharmacological Action Actions Yohimbine 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1A Protein Humans UnknownPartial agonistDetails Yohimbine 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1B Protein Humans UnknownPartial agonistDetails Yohimbine 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1D Protein Humans UnknownPartial agonistDetails Yohimbine 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A Protein Humans UnknownAntagonistDetails Yohimbine 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2C Protein Humans UnknownAntagonistDetails - Drug Interactions
Drugs Interaction Integrate drug-drug
interactions in your softwareAlprazolamYohimbine The therapeutic efficacy of Alprazolam can be increased when used in combination with Yohimbine. BromazepamYohimbine The therapeutic efficacy of Bromazepam can be increased when used in combination with Yohimbine. ButriptylineYohimbine The therapeutic efficacy of Butriptyline can be increased when used in combination with Yohimbine. ChlordiazepoxideYohimbine The therapeutic efficacy of Chlordiazepoxide can be increased when used in combination with Yohimbine. ChlormezanoneYohimbine The therapeutic efficacy of Chlormezanone can be increased when used in combination with Yohimbine.