Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40376793›Full record

ReviewCNS spectrums2025

Exploring the potential benefits of clonidine for anxiety disorders.

Esha Aneja B S, Soojae Hollowell, Thomas Schwartz

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in CNS spectrums, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Esha Aneja B SDepartment of Medicine, https://ror.org/03h0d2228California Northstate University, Elk Grove, CA, USA.
Soojae HollowellDepartment of Psychiatry, https://ror.org/040kfrw16SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
Thomas SchwartzDepartment of Psychiatry, https://ror.org/040kfrw16SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Anxiety disorders, characterized by excessive fear and behavioral disturbances, are among the most prevalent psychiatric conditions, yet treatment options remain suboptimal for many patients. Clonidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, has shown potential anxiolytic effects and may address treatment-resistant cases. This review explores the efficacy, safety, and mechanism of clonidine as a pharmacological option for anxiety disorders, with emphasis on its role in modulating noradrenergic dysfunction and its potential synergistic effects with existing therapies. A literature review was conducted to evaluate clinical studies, case reports, and comparative trials on clonidine's use in anxiety disorders, focusing on its pharmacological profile, efficacy, and tolerability. Evidence suggests clonidine may reduce anxiety symptoms, particularly in treatment-resistant cases and specific populations, such as pediatric patients and those with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Its mechanism involves modulating norepinephrine release and glutamatergic pathways. Case studies and small trials highlight its potential in reducing cognitive symptoms of anxiety, but inconsistencies in efficacy and side effects, including sedation and hypotension, were noted. Comparative studies suggest clonidine may have similar efficacy to SSRIs in some cases but lack large-scale validation. Clonidine presents as a promising pharmacotherapeutic option for anxiety disorders, particularly in cases resistant to conventional treatments or in patients with contraindications to other typical medications. Its mechanism of action, tolerability, and potential synergistic effects with existing therapies underscore the need for continued exploration and clinical trials to establish its optimal role in anxiety disorder management.

Indexed as

Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor AgonistsAnti-Anxiety AgentsAnxiety DisordersClonidineHumansAdrenergic alpha-2 Receptor AgonistsAnti-Anxiety AgentsClonidinealpha-2 agonistAnxiety disordersanxiolyticclonidinegeneralized anxiety disorder

Identifiers

PMID40376793
PMCPMC13064695

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.