HTR2A and major depressive disorder: The observed therapeutic benefits may be attributed to its pharmacological properties, especially its 5-HT1A partial agonism and 5-HT2A antagonism–mechanisms that have been independently linked to anxiolytic effects in prior studies.43, 44, 45, 46 However, the anxiolytic effect of perospirone in patients with MDD remains insufficiently investigated, and the present study represents the first evidence indicating such effect.