A placebo-controlled trial of L-365,260, a CCKB antagonist, in panic disorder.
The functional role of cholecystokinin in the central nervous system is unknown. The tetra peptide CCK-4 was previously observed to induce panic attacks in a majority of normal volunteers and patients with panic disorder. Furthermore, it had been demonstrated that pretreatment with 10-50 mg of L-365,260, a selective CCKB antagonist, blocked CCK-4 induced panic in patients with panic disorder. Therefore, the present multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial was designed to investigate the efficacy of L-365,260, a CCKB antagonist, in patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Following a 1-week, single-blind placebo period, 88 patients were randomized to double-blind treatment in which they received either L-365,260, 30 mg qid, or placebo for 6 weeks. At the dose tested, there were no clinically significant differences between L-365,260 and placebo in global improvement ratings, Hamilton anxiety rating scale scores, panic attack frequency, panic attack intensity, or disability measures. The possible reasons for lack of effect with L-365,260 are discussed.
Kramer
M S
MS
Merck Research Laboratories, West Point, PA 19486, USA.
Cutler
N R
NR
Ballenger
J C
JC
Patterson
W M
WM
Mendels
J
J
Chenault
A
A
Shrivastava
R
R
Matzura-Wolfe
D
D
Lines
C
C
Reines
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D043887:Receptor, Cholecystokinin B; D011949:Receptors, Cholecystokinin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D013758:Tetragastrin; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D043887:Receptor, Cholecystokinin B; D011949:Receptors, Cholecystokinin; D013758:Tetragastrin; C058121:L 365260