Serotonergic function in panic disorder: endocrine responses to D-fenfluramine.
1. Prolactin and cortisol responses to d-fenfluramine were measured in 16 patients with DSM-III-R panic disorder and 14 normal controls. 2. Patients showed a greater mean prolactin response than controls but the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05, MANOVA). 3. No consistent differences were observed between patients and controls with respect to cortisol responses (P > 0.05, MANOVA). 4. The results do not support the hypothesis of hypersensitive post-synaptic serotonin receptors in patients with panic disorder. 5. Studies in larger groups are necessary to confirm the trend and to explore receptor subtype sensitivity.
Judd
F K
FK
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
Apostolopoulos
M
M
Burrows
G D
GD
Norman
T R
TR
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*
D006728:Hormones; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone