Cholecystokinin as a target for neuropsychiatric drugs

Cholecystokinin (CKK) has gained in importance in research for several reasons. Recent evidence suggests that CCK is implicated in the regulation of anxiety. Animal studies support human findings that CCK induces anxiety-like behaviors through CCK(B) receptors. Presently available CCK antagonists do not seem to be potent anxiolytic and antipanic drugs. Animal and human studies have also been conducted on the role of CCK in schizophrenia. The obvious neuroanatomical association between dopamine and CCK continues to stimulate research directed towards the development of new antipsychotic drugs. In spite of considerable effort made in this area, it is rather doubtful that CCK agonists or antagonists can be potent antipsychotic drugs. Of particular relevance are findings implicating CCK in anxiogenic processes associated with drug dependence and withdrawal. The most important avenue for CCK seems to be addictive disorders. Considering the therapeutic potential of these compounds, further developments in this field can be anticipated.