Final answer:
The false statement regarding norepinephrine's role in anxiety is that inhibition of the locus coeruleus can elicit alerting and fear responses; in fact, it is the activation of this region that is linked to such responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about the role of norepinephrine in anxiety that is false is "Inhibition of the locus coeruleus can elicit alerting and fear responses in animals." In reality, the locus coeruleus is a region in the brainstem involved in physiological responses to stress and panic. Rather than inhibition, it is the activation of the locus coeruleus that is associated with alerting and fear responses as it is responsible for the release of norepinephrine. When this area is stimulated, it leads to increased arousal and alertness, which can contribute to the symptoms of anxiety.
Moreover, there are instances where anxiety-reducing drugs work by inhibiting norepinephrine pathways, which may help reduce anxiety symptoms. It is also true that abnormal sympathetic nervous system activation, often involving excess norepinephrine activity, is a common feature of anxiety disorders. In the context of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), excess norepinephrine can indeed contribute to the formation and solidification of trauma memories.