Response to flumazenil in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to determine whether the administration of flumazenil would induce marked panic symptoms in women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder.


METHODS
Ten women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and 11 comparison subjects were injected with flumazenil or placebo in a double-blind, randomized, balanced crossover design in a single session in the luteal phase of their menstrual cycles.


RESULTS
Flumazenil induced a much greater panic response in the women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder than in the comparison subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary results are consistent with a dysregulation of the g-aminobutyric acid A/benzodiazepine receptor complex during the premenstruum of women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Le Mellédo
J M
JM
Clinical Investigation Unit, Department of Psychiatry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. jean-michel.lemelledo@ualberta.ca
Van Driel
M
M
Coupland
N J
NJ
Lott
P
P
Jhangri
G S
GS
D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000494:pharmacology; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008183:Luteal Phase / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018079:Receptors, GABA / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D018757:GABA Modulators; D018079:Receptors, GABA; D005442:Flumazenil