Effects of citalopram treatment on behavioural, cardiovascular and neuroendocrine response to cholecystokinin tetrapeptide challenge in patients with panic disorder.
Year: 1997
Type: article
Abstract: Eight patients with panic disorder were administered 20 micrograms of cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK-4) before and after 8 weeks of treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram. All patients responded to treatment by showing a significant general improvement and reaching a panic-free state for 2 weeks. At the rechallenge with CCK-4, patients displayed a marked reduction in the intensity and number of panic symptoms. The frequency of panic attacks induced with CCK-4 decreased by 50% after treatment. Citalopram treatment had no substantial effect on cardiovascular (heart rate and blood pressure) or hormonal (cortisol, prolactin and growth hormone) responses to CCK-4. Patients who still had panic attacks after treatment demonstrated a blunted growth hormone response to CCK-4 that was not seen in those who did not have panic attacks. This study suggests that treatment with an SSRI can reduce an enhanced sensitivity to CCK-4 without modifying cardiovascular and neuroendocrine responses to CCK-4 in patients with panic disorder.
Source: PubMed Central
Institution: University of Tartu
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W24337228