Objective: The anxiogenic and panicogenic effects of peripheral administration of the cholecystokinin-B receptor agonist pentagastrin and placebo 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 received an intravenous bolus of placebo and pentagastrin.
Results: Panic attacks occurred in five patients with generalized anxiety disorder (71%) and in one normal subject (14%). Patients with generalized anxiety disorder were more likely to report more nonpanic anxiety than were normal subjects.
Conclusions: Patients with generalized anxiety disorder appear to exhibit greater subjective sensitivity to pentagastrin than do normal subjects.