Background Functional neuroimaging may elucidate the pathophysiologic features of
anxiety disorders and the site of action of anxiolytic drugs. A large body of evidence
suggests that the amygdala and associated limbic structures play a critical role in the
expression of anxiety and may be treatment targets for anxiolytic drugs. Objective To
determine whether lorazepam dose-dependently attenuates blood oxygenation level–
dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD fMRI) activation in the amygdala …