Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in anxiety disorders?

The correct choice is GABA, which is primarily implicated in anxiety disorders. GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It plays a crucial role in reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. In anxiety disorders, there is often an imbalance in the levels of neurotransmitters, and GABA’s inhibitory actions help to counteract the heightened activity associated with anxiety symptoms.

Many anxiolytic medications are designed to enhance the effects of GABA, thereby reducing anxiety. For example, benzodiazepines increase GABA activity, leading to a calming effect that is effective in treating anxiety.

Other neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, do have roles in anxiety, but they are not primarily implicated in the same way GABA is. While serotonin is important in mood regulation and can influence anxiety levels, its primary association is more with depression. Norepinephrine is involved in the body's stress response and can contribute to the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as increased heart rate and arousal, but it doesn't directly address the inhibitory mechanisms central to anxiety disorders in the way GABA does. Thus, GABA's role is more directly related to the modulation