Although exposure-based treatments and
anxiolytic medications are more effective than placebo for treating
anxiety disorders, there is still considerable room for further improvement. Interestingly, combining these two modalities is usually not more effective than the monotherapies. Recent translational research has identified a number of novel approaches for treating
anxiety disorders using agents that serve as neuroenhancers (also known as
cognitive enhancers). Several of these agents have been studied to determine their efficacy at improving treatment outcome for patients with anxiety and other
psychiatric disorders. In this review, we examine d-
cycloserine,
yohimbine,
cortisol,
catecholamines,
oxytocin,
modafinil, and nutrients such as
caffeine and amino
fatty acids as potential neuroenhancers. Of these agents, d-
cycloserine shows the most promise as an effective neuroenhancer for extinction learning and exposure therapy. Yet, the optimal dosing and dose timing for drug administration remains uncertain. There is partial support for
cortisol,
catecholamines,
yohimbine and
oxytocin for improving extinction learning and exposure therapy. There is less evidence to indicate that
modafinil and nutrients such as
caffeine and amino
fatty acids are effective neuroenhancers. More research is needed to determine their long term efficacy and clinical utility of these agents.