EFFECTS OF THE CHOLECYSTOKININ AGONIST PENTAGASTRIN IN PATIENTS WITH GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

Objective: The anxiogenic and panicogenic effects of peripheral admini stration of the cholecystokinin-B receptor agonist pentagastrim and pl acebo were evaluated in patients with generalized anxiety disorder and normal comparison subjects. Methods: Seven patients with generalized anxiety disorder and seven age- and sex-matched normal subjects receiv ed an intravenous bolus of placebo and pentagastrin. Results: Panic at tacks occurred in five patients with generalized anxiety disorder (71% ) and in one normal subject (14%). Patients with generalized anxiety d isorder were more likely to report more nonpanic anxiety than were nor mal subjects. Conclusions: Patients with generalized anxiety disorder appear to exhibit greater subjective sensitivity to pentagastrin than do normal subjects.