Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 9, 2026

Elevated Plus Maze Test Combined with Video Tracking Software to Investigate the Anxiolytic Effect of Exogenous Ketogenic Supplements
Published on: January 7, 2019
Pharmacological Inhibition of the Psychiatric Risk Factor FKBP51 Has Anxiolytic Properties
Jakob Hartmann1, Klaus V Wagner2, Steffen Gaali2
1Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804 Munich, Germany, and jhartmann@psych.mpg.de hausch@psych.mpg.de mschmidt@psych.mpg.de.
Abstract:
Anxiety-related psychiatric disorders represent one of the largest health burdens worldwide. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP51) gene have been repeatedly associated with anxiety-related disorders and stress sensitivity. Given the intimate relationship of stress and anxiety, we hypothesized that amygdala FKBP51 may mediate anxiety-related behaviors. Mimicking the stress effect by specifically overexpressing FKBP51 in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) or central amygdala resulted in increased anxiety-related behavior, respectively. In contrast, application of a highly selective FKBP51 point mutant antagonist, following FKBP51(mut) BLA-overexpression, reduced the anxiogenic phenotype. We subsequently tested a novel FKBP51 antagonist, SAFit2, in wild-type mice via BLA microinjections, which reduced anxiety-related behavior. Remarkably, the same effect was observed following peripheral administration of SAFit2. To our knowledge, this is the first in vivo study using a specific FKBP51 antagonist, thereby unraveling the role of FKBP51 and its potential as a novel drug target for the improved treatment of anxiety-related disorders.
Related Concept Videos
Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...
Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Ligand-Gated Ion Channel Receptor: Gating Mechanism
Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis

