New problems in GABA-ergic pharmacology of anxiety

The classical idea of the role of the CNS stimulating and inhibiting mechanisms comes to recognition of the first-named as promnestic, anxiogenic and arousal-activating factors and the inhibiting mechanisms as anxiolytic, amnestic, and pro sedative factors. Consequently, activation of the inhibiting GABA-ergic system should reduce anxiety and general motor activity and dim memory, whereas GABA-inhibitors should cause a contrary effect in relation to alarmed behavior At the same time, data exist on the paradoxic anxiolytic effects of small doses of some GABA-inhibitors which it is difficult to explain in the framework of the traditional conception. The article discusses the complicated nonlinear interrelation of memory, anxiety, and arousal and attempts to explain the unexpected effects of small doses of GABA-inhibitors in relation to anxiety from the standpoint of superimposing mechanisms of memory, arousal, and anxiety. Some suggestions were also made on the possibility of applying such conclusions for pharmacological correction of anxiety states with small doses of GABA-inhibiting drugs.