title: A 3H-flunitrazepam binding inhibitor is present in psychiatric patients' sera.
abstract: We investigated the possible existence of endogenous compounds acting on benzodiazepine central receptors in the serum of patients with panic attacks or depression. Our results show the presence of a substance which inhibits the 3H-flunitrazepam binding specifically in the samples taken from the patients' groups, and which is not present in normal controls, in the range of concentrations used. This compound has a molecular weight below 1,000 daltons, is heat-stable, and resistant to proteolytic degradation. The demonstration of this inhibitor opens new perspectives in the study of the biochemistry of anxiety.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatric Clinic, University of Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marazziti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pietrini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giannaccini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perugi
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Placidi
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Cassano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucacchini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood*; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005445:Flunitrazepam / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010200:Panic / Q000502:physiology*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000378:metabolism*; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D005445:Flunitrazepam