Effects of low-dose cholecystokinin on respiratory function in healthy volunteers

Injection of high doses of cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK-4), a recent e xperimental model for panic, causes panic attacks and respiratory stimulati on, a key feature of panic, in healthy volunteers. However, it has not yet been established whether respiratory stimulation is specifically linked to panic or merely an effect of arousal in general. Results of the present stu dy show that respiratory stimulation is not merely linked to higher arousal and suggest a link between CCK-provoked panic and respiratory stimulation. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.