Acute L-5-hydroxytryptophan administration inhibits carbon dioxide-induced panic in panic disorder patients

Psychiatry Res. 2002 Dec 30;113(3):237-43. doi: 10.1016/s0165-1781(02)00262-7.

Abstract

Previous research showed that lowering the availability of serotonin to the brain by tryptophan depletion increases the vulnerability of panic disorder patients for an experimental 35% CO(2) panic challenge. The results also suggested that increased availability of serotonin inhibits the response to such a challenge. In the present study, this latter possibility is examined. The reaction of 24 panic disorder patients and 24 healthy volunteers to a 35% CO(2) panic challenge was assessed following administration of 200-mg L-5-hydroxytryptophan (the immediate precursor of serotonin) or placebo. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan significantly reduced the reaction to the panic challenge in panic disorder patients, regarding subjective anxiety, panic symptom score and number of panic attacks, as opposed to placebo. No such effect was observed in the healthy volunteers. L-5-Hydroxytryptophan acts to inhibit panic, which supports a modulatory role of serotonin in panic disorder.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan / administration & dosage*
  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan / pharmacology*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Carbon Dioxide / adverse effects*
  • Carbon Dioxide / metabolism*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Panic Disorder / chemically induced*
  • Panic Disorder / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Carbon Dioxide
  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan