Buspirone, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic, increases locus coeruleus noradrenergic neuronal activity

It has been hypothesized that treatments which increase locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic neuronal activity produce anxiety, whereas treatments which decrease LC neuronal activity are anxiety-reducing. Although the benzodiazepine anxiolytic diazepam decreases LC neuronal impulse flow and norepinephrine metabolism, the non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic buspirone does the opposite. These data suggest that a reduction in LC output is not a necessary prerequisite for anxiolytic activity.