The role of the β-noradrenergic system in cholecystokinin-tetrapeptide-induced panic symptoms

Background: The authors determined whether effective β-adrenergic blockade could attenuate the panicogenic effects of cholecystokinin-tetrapeptide (CCK-4) in healthy volunteers. Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to either a propranolol (n = 14) or placebo (n = 16) infusion. Ten minutes after completion of the infusion subjects received a bolus injection of CCK-4 (50 μg). Results: Acute pretreatment with propranolol was more effective than placebo in decreasing behavioral and cardiovascular sensitivity to CCK-4. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the panicogenic effects of CCK-4 are mediated, in part, through the