Neurobiological investigations into the role of cholecystokinin in panic disorder.
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a neurotransmitter found in high density in the brains of mammals. Microiontophoretic studies showing that benzodiazepines selectively antagonized CCK-induced excitation of rat hippocampal neurons have led to the hypothesis that CCK is an anxiogenic peptide. The hypothesis was supported by demonstrations that CCK-tetrapeptide (CCK4) induces panic attacks in humans. This paper reviews phases of investigations which studied the validity of CCK4 as a panicogenic agent and research strategies for the study of panic disorder using CCK4 as an investigative tool.
Bradwejn
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, St. Mary's Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001483:Base Sequence; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation; D002766:Cholecystokinin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012844:Sincalide / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D013758:Tetragastrin / Q000032:analysis
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D013758:Tetragastrin; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002766:Cholecystokinin; D012844:Sincalide; D007099:Imipramine