Serotonergic function in panic disorder: endocrine responses to D-fenfluramine.

Abstract

1. Prolactin and cortisol responses to d-fenfluramine were measured in 16 patients with DSM-III-R panic disorder and 14 normal controls. 2. Patients showed a greater mean prolactin response than controls but the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05, MANOVA). 3. No consistent differences were observed between patients and controls with respect to cortisol responses (P > 0.05, MANOVA). 4. The results do not support the hypothesis of hypersensitive post-synaptic serotonin receptors in patients with panic disorder. 5. Studies in larger groups are necessary to confirm the trend and to explore receptor subtype sensitivity.

• Authors: F K Judd, M Apostolopoulos, G D Burrows, T R Norman
• Journal: Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry (Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry) Vol. 18 Issue 2 Pg. 329-37 (Mar 1994) ISSN: 0278-5846 [Print] England
• PMID: 8208982 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hormones
• Receptors, Serotonin
• Fenfluramine
• Serotonin
• Prolactin
• Hydrocortisone

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Fenfluramine (therapeutic use)
• Hormones (blood)
• Humans
• Hydrocortisone (blood)
• Male
• Panic Disorder (blood, drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Prolactin (blood)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Receptors, Serotonin (drug effects)
• Serotonin (physiology)