Effects of CCK-4 infusion on the acoustic eye-blink startle and psychophysiological measures in healthy volunteers.
The acoustic startle response (ASR) and a range of psychophysiological parameters were evaluated during a continuous intravenous administration of cholecystokinin-tetrapeptide (CCK-4) in healthy volunteers. Subjects (n=28) were randomly assigned to double-blind infusion of either CCK-4 (0.5 mg/60 min) or placebo. The ASR sessions were performed prior to infusion and at 20 min and 50 min after the onset of infusion by recording eye-blink response to a series of acoustic stimuli (110 dB, 40 ms). An effect of CCK-4 on the eye-blink startle was observed in the first half of infusion. CCK-4 produced an increase of eye-blink startle amplitude from baseline values in contrast to the decrease observed at this time point with placebo. A mild increase in anxiety and heart rate followed by fatigue was reported with CCK-4. Administration of CCK-4 produced increases in plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, prolactin and growth hormone. The results of this study show that a prolonged intravenous administration of CCK-4 may be a useful challenge method for further studies on the role of CCK system in the modulation of human anxiety and stress response.
Shlik
J
J
Royal Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. jakov@cut.ee
Zhou
Y
Y
Koszycki
D
D
Vaccarino
F J
FJ
Bradwejn
J
J
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D001767:Blinking / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D012016:Reference Values; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013758:Tetragastrin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors
D013758:Tetragastrin; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D011388:Prolactin; D006854:Hydrocortisone