Evidence for the Aetiological Theories: Altered Neurotransmitter Function
It is possible that any or all of the neurotransmitters Serotonin (5HT), Norepinephrine and GABA are implicated in anxiety disorders - research is ongoing
The timing of any neurotransmitter abnormality may be crucial. For example, It may be that people become susceptible to pathological anxiety because of changes in 5HT transmission laid down early in life.
- laboratory mice which have their 5HT1a receptors in the Hippocampus and prefrontal cortex “removed” in early life develop long-term vulnerability to marked anxiety.
- However, when this is done to adult mice there is no increase in anxiety