Cognitive Enhancers in Exposure Therapy for Anxiety and Related Disorders

Although exposure-based therapies have demonstrated effectiveness in the treatment of anxiety and related disorders, there remain a significant number of individuals who do not respond or only show partial response even after an adequate course of the treatment. Recent research suggests that augmentation agents can enhance the core learning processes of exposure-based therapy, thus potentially improving treatment response and maintenance of gains in the long-term. This chapter provides an overview of the current state of cognitive enhancers for the treatment of psychological disorders, particularly in the realm of anxiety.