The cholecystokinin-B receptor antagonist CI-988 failed to affect CCK-4 induced symptoms in panic disorder patients

The effects of the cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) receptor antagonist CI-988 on symptoms elicited by the cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK4) were studied in DSM-IIIR patients with panic disorder. The study employed a double-blind, two-period incomplete block design. Patients (n=14) received two different dosages of CI-988 (50 mg or 100 mg) or placebo 2 h prior to an IV bolus injection of CCK4 (20 µg) on two separate occasions. The primary efficacy parameter was the total intensity score on the Panic Symptoms Scale (PSS). Secondary parameters were the number of panic symptoms, time to and occurrence of the first panic symptoms, duration of symptoms, intensity of apprehension and the percentage of patients who did not have a panic attack. The PSS failed to show a statistically significant treatment effect on any of these outcome measures. The average panic rate was 50%, 14.3% and 37.5% after placebo, 50 and 100 mg CI-988, respectively. The differences in panic rate were not statistically significant. The results of this study suggest that CI-988 in doses up to 100 mg is not effective in reducing symptoms of panic anxiety induced by CCK4.