Buspirone increases locus coeruleus noradrenergic neuronal activity in vitro.

Buspirone, a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic agent, produced dose-dependent increases in the activity of norepinephrine-containing locus coeruleus neurons recorded from mouse brain slices in vitro. The response was not changed in a low calcium/high magnesium incubation medium, indicating that the observed effects were the result of a direct action of buspirone on locus coeruleus neurons. These data suggest that noradrenergic neurons may not be as important in mediating anxiety states as previously suggested.