5-HT and anxiety: promises and pitfalls

This review examines the evidence implicating serotonergic systems in the control of anxiety. The effects of manipulations of 5-HT, including 5-HT lesions, pharmacological reduction and enhancement of serotonergic function in animal tests of anxiety are reviewed. Biochemical and behavioral evidence implicating serotonergic pathways in the anxiolytic action of benzodiazepines is presented. In each section the promises of a serotonergic involvement, as indicated by positive findings, and the pitfalls, evidenced by inconsistent and conflicting results, are discussed. Finally the dangers of a superficial interpretation of the behavioral and biochemical findings is stressed.