Abstract |
The effects of pentagastrin, a synthetic analogue of the cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK4), were studied in 15 patients with panic disorder and 15 healthy controls. Three different intravenous dosages of pentagastrin (0.1, 0.3 and 0.6 microgram/kg) and saline were investigated. Subjects were randomly allocated to two of the four treatment groups and tested on two separate occasions, 1 week apart, using an unbalanced double-blind incomplete block design. The mean panic rate with pentagastrin was 55% (12/22) for patients and 5% (1/22) for controls. None of the subjects panicked with saline. The frequency of panic attacks between the three pentagastrin doses in patients was not different. One control subject had a panic-like attack at the highest dose of pentagastrin. These findings concur with previous studies on the panicogenic effect of CCK4 and pentagastrin and suggest a greater sensitivity for CCK receptor agonists in patients suffering from panic disorder than in healthy controls.
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Authors | H J van Megen, H G Westenberg, J A den Boer, J R Haigh, M Traub |
Journal | Psychopharmacology
(Psychopharmacology (Berl))
Vol. 114
Issue 3
Pg. 449-55
(Apr 1994)
ISSN: 0033-3158 [Print] Germany |
PMID | 7855203
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Serotonin
- Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
- beta-Endorphin
- Prolactin
- Cholecystokinin
- Pentagastrin
- Melatonin
- Hydrocortisone
- Norepinephrine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Cholecystokinin
(pharmacology)
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Hydrocortisone
(blood)
- Melatonin
(blood)
- Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
(blood)
- Middle Aged
- Norepinephrine
(metabolism)
- Panic Disorder
(chemically induced, metabolism, psychology)
- Pentagastrin
(pharmacology)
- Prolactin
(blood)
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
- Psychometrics
- Serotonin
(metabolism)
- beta-Endorphin
(blood)
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