Plasma gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) levels in cholecystokinine-tetrapeptide (CCK-4) induced anxiety.

INTRODUCTION

Dysregulation of the GABA system is supposed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of panic disorder. Moreover, prior investigations revealed an association between GABA plasma levels and experimental induced panic with lactate. To evaluate a possible relationship between plasma GABA and CCK-4 induced panic plasma GABA levels in healthy volunteers were investigated.

METHODS

12 healthy subjects were challenged with 50 micro g CCK-4. Blood samples for determination of plasma GABA were drawn at baseline, 5 and 10 minutes after CCK-4 injection.

RESULTS

Plasma GABA levels did not change significantly during the CCK-4 challenge as revealed by ANOVA for repeated measurements. There was no correlation between baseline GABA levels and anxiogenic response to CCK-4.

CONCLUSION

In contrast to previous findings with lactate our study does not suggest a possible relationship between plasma GABA levels and experimental induced panic with CCK-4.