Comparison of the effects of cholecystokinin-tetrapeptide and carbon dioxide in healthy volunteers

Abstract

Twenty-six healthy volunteers received either 25 μg of cholecystokinin-tetrapeptide (CCK-4) or a mixture of 35% carbon dioxide in oxygen (CO 2). DSM-III-R criteria including anxiety, apprehension and/or fear of at least moderate intensity were used to determine the occurrence of a panic attack. Results for the entire sample revealed that CCK-4 produced significantly more intense symptoms than CO 2, but not a significantly greater number of symptoms. The incidence of DSM-III-R panic attacks was similar with both substances; 21% ( 3 14 ) for CO 2 and 17% ( 2 12 ) for CCK-4. This study indicates that CCK-4 is at least as potent as CO 2 in producing panic symptoms in healthy volunteers and is a useful challenge paradigm for comparative research of pharmacologic agents which possess distinct neurobiologic properties.