title: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in panic disorder: effects of alprazolam on 24 h secretion of adrenocorticotropin and cortisol.
abstract: Pre-clinical and some clinical evidence suggests that central overdrive within the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may play a role in panic disorder, and that the anti-panic efficacy of alprazolam may involve its ability to inhibit this drive. Detailed examination of 24 h secretion of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and cortisol in 20 panic patients had revealed subtle HPA axis abnormalities prior to treatment. In order to determine whether these abnormalities resolve with alprazolam therapy, these patients were re-studied over a full circadian cycle after 12 weeks on alprazolam. Alprazolam produced substantial improvement in clinical status which was accompanied by nearly full resolution of pre-treatment hypercortisolemia. The impact of treatment on ACTH was more complex and influenced by symptom severity. The results are consistent with the hypotheses that HPA axis regulation is subtly disturbed in panic disorder and that impact on the HPA axis may play a role in alprazolam's mechanism of efficacy.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan Department of Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, USA.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Abelson
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: O G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Cameron
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D000525:Alprazolam