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Neuroactive steroid changes in response to challenge with the panicogenic agent pentagastrin
Glendon R Tait1, Karen McManus, François Bellavance
1Department of Psychiatry, 1E7.16 MacKenzie Centre, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2B7.
Psychoneuroendocrinology
|March 26, 2002
Summary
Pentagastrin challenge increased neuroactive steroid (NAS) levels in panic disorder patients. Ethinyl estradiol pretreatment did not alter this response, suggesting NAS release purpose requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neuroactive steroids (NASs) and female hormones are implicated in panic disorder (PD) pathophysiology.
- CO2 challenge in rats shows delayed NAS release, suggesting a link to panicogenic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure plasma NAS levels after pentagastrin challenge in male PD patients and healthy volunteers.
- To assess the effect of ethinyl estradiol (EE) pretreatment on pentagastrin-induced NAS release.
Main Methods:
- Double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled study.
- Three-day pretreatment with EE (50 microg/day) or placebo.
- 30 microg intravenous bolus injection of pentagastrin.
- Measurement of allopregnanolone (ALLO) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) plasma levels.
Main Results:
- Pentagastrin challenge significantly increased DHEA and showed a trend for ALLO release.
- Ethinyl estradiol pretreatment did not modify the panic response to pentagastrin.
- EE pretreatment did not affect pentagastrin-induced NAS release.
Conclusions:
- Pentagastrin induces the release of NASs into plasma.
- The functional significance of pentagastrin-induced NAS release remains undetermined.