Sazetidine-A (6-[5-(azetidin-2-ylmethoxy)pyridin-3-yl]hex-5-yn-1-ol or AMOP-H-OH) is a "silent desensitizer" of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), meaning that it desensitizes the receptor without first activating it. Later it was shown that Sazetidine-A is an agonist of native and recombinant alpha4beta2 nAChRs but shows differential efficacy on alpha4beta2 nAChRs subtypes. In animal models it is able to regulate the gain in body weight, alcohol and nicotine dependence. Sazetidine-A exerts analgesic, antidepressant and anxiolytic properties.

WAY 267464 dihydrochloride is a potent and selective agonist at the oxytocin receptor (OTR). WAY 267464 has been shown to cross the blood-brain-barrier to a significantly greater extent than exogenously applied oxytocin. WAY 267464 dose-dependently reduced anxiety on the four-plate test and prevented the deficits in prepulse inhibition induced by MK-801 or amphetamine. The ability of WAY 267464 to function as a V1AR antagonist may limit its potential therapeutic use in humans, as it would conceivably prevent the improvements in social behavior and social cognition that may be assumed to arise from a primary OTR agonist action.

MFZ 10-7 is a high affinity negative allosteric modulator at the mGlu5 receptor (Ki = 0.67 nM). MFZ 10-7 demonstrates anxyolitic properties in mouse models. Intraperitoneal administration of MFZ 10-7 inhibited intravenous cocaine self-administration, cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior and cocaine-associated cue-induced cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.

SB-699551 is the first selective serotonin 5A receptor antagonist. SB-699551 showed an anxiolytic-like property in animal model. It demostrated efficacy against schizophrenia-like cognitive deficits and negative symptoms in rats. Blockade of 5-HT5A receptor with SB-699551 appear to be able to impair the consolidation of memory in rodents. In addition, 5-HT-induced spinal antinociception in the capsaicin and acetic acid tests was blocked by SB-699551.

CBiPES is a selective positive allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor group II subtype mGluR2. CBiPES attenuated a stress-induced hyperthermia and PCP-induced hyperlocomotor activity in the mouse model.

N-(4-(2-Methoxyphenoxy)-phenyl-N-(2,2,2-trifluoroethylsulfonyl)-pyrid-3-ylmethylamine (LY487379) is a selective positive allosteric modulator at metabotropic glutamate subtype 2 receptors (mGluR2). The compound exerts antipsychotic and anxiolytic actions.

MCOPPB trihydrochloride (MCOPPB) is a nonpeptide agonist of the NOP receptor, an anxiolytic agent. MCOPPB has a high affinity for the human NOP receptor (pKi = 10.07 +/- 0.01) and selectivity for the NOP receptor over other members of the opioid receptor family: 12-, 270- and >1000-fold more selective for the NOP receptor than for the micro-, kappa-, and delta-receptor, respectively. In an ex vivo binding study, MCOPPB (10 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited signaling through the NOP receptor in the mouse brain, suggesting that it penetrated into the brain after it was orally administered. MCOPPB - a compound with few adverse effects on the central nervous system - is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of anxiety.

L-760735 is a non-peptide substance P receptor (Neurokinin 1 (NK1) receptor) antagonist. It exerts anxiolytic, antidepressant and antinociceptive actions in animals. Merck was developing an L- 760735 as a potential antidepressant.

WAY-181187 is a high affinity and selective 5-HT6 agonist. It displays 60-fold selectivity over other 5-HT and monoamine receptors. WAY-181187 stimulates cAMP, ERK1/2 and Fyn kinase signaling pathway through serotonin receptor activation. WAY-181187 produced both antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects in the animal model. It had been in phase I clinical trial for the treatment of anxiety disorders but this research has been discontinued.

WAY 208466 dihydrochloride is a high affinity, selective SR-6 (5-HT6) receptor agonist. WAY-208466 produced both antidepressant-like and anxiolytic-like effects. Direct infusion of WAY-208466 into the dorsal raphe nucleus, locus coeruleus, basal forebrain (horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca) or laterodorsal tegmental nucleus specifically decreased REM sleep without significantly altering wakefulness or slow wave sleep.