Anxiolytic activity of atrial natriuretic peptide in patients with panic disorder.

OBJECTIVE

Preclinical evidence exists for the anxiolytic activity of atrial natriuretic peptide, which is released during lactate-induced panic attacks. Atrial natriuretic peptide receptor modulation may have antipanic activity in patients with panic disorder.

METHOD: The effects of 150 microg of atrial natriuretic peptide and placebo on panic attacks induced by cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK-4) (25 microg) were studied in 10 panic disorder patients. The panicogenic activity of CCK-4 was measured with the Acute Panic Inventory.

RESULTS

Panic attacks occurred in seven patients in the placebo condition and in two patients in the atrial natriuretic peptide condition. CCK-4 administration was accompanied by a significant increase in Acute Panic Inventory scores. Pretreatment with atrial natriuretic peptide resulted in significantly lower Acute Panic Inventory scores than pretreatment with placebo.

CONCLUSIONS

The results support the antipanic activity of atrial natriuretic peptide. Nonpeptidergic atrial natriuretic peptide receptor ligands may be ultimately used to treat anxiety disorders.