Decreased lymphocyte beta-adrenoreceptor function correlates with less agoraphobia and better outcome in panic disorder.
Previous studies have demonstrated reduced function of peripheral beta-adrenoreceptors in panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA). We recently reported that decreased lymphocyte beta-receptor function was associated with milder agoraphobia and better treatment response in PDA. We now report on lymphocyte beta-receptor function in 12 additional patients with PDA. Lower cyclic AMP responses to isoproterenol were significantly correlated with milder agoraphobia and better response to naturalistic treatment. Lower beta-receptor density tended to correlate similarly with agoraphobia and treatment response. These findings further support the hypothesis that decreased peripheral beta-receptor function in PDA reflects an adaptive process associated with greater resistance to agoraphobia and greater capacity for recovery with treatment.
Maddock
R J
RJ
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis.
Gietzen
D W
DW
Goodman
T A
TA
D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D007545:Isoproterenol