title: Neuroendocrine effects of diazepam in panic and generalized anxiety disorders.
abstract: The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, and growth hormone responses to four consecutive, logarithmically increasing doses of intravenous diazepam compared with placebo given at 15-min intervals were examined in patients with panic disorder (n = 13), generalized anxiety disorder (n = 8), and healthy controls (n = 13). Diazepam caused dose-dependent decreases in cortisol and increases in GH and dose-independent decreases in ACTH. There were no patient-control differences, possibly due to either the small sample size of the experimental paradigm, which tested subjects in an upright, sitting position in mildly arousing circumstances.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: P P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Roy-Byrne
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Cowley
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hommer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Greenblatt
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nemeroff
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010200:Panic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010555:Personality Inventory
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D013006:Growth Hormone; D003975:Diazepam; D006854:Hydrocortisone