Cognitive enhancers for anxiety disorders

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective intervention for anxiety disorders. However, a significant number of people do not respond or only show partial response even after an adequate course of the treatment. Recent research has shown that the efficacy of the intervention can be improved by the use of cognitive enhancers that augment the core learning processes of cognitive-behavior therapy. This manuscript provides a review of the current state of cognitive enhancers for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Research highlights►We review agents that might act as cognitive enhancers for cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders in humans. ►We review d-cycloserine, cortisol, catecholamines, nutrients, botanicals, methylene blue, and endocannabinoids as possible cognitive enhancers. ►d-cycloserine is the most promising agent to augment extinction learning in animals and cognitive-behavioral therapy in humans. ►We examine the mechanism of cognitive enhancers and explore the role of genetic modulation.