Cholecystokinjn Tetrapeptide: a Provocation Agent for Research in Panic Disorder?

Panic disorder represents a significant psychiatric illness in the general population and is associated with a number of distressing and disabling complications (Marks, 1987). The core symptom of panic disorder is the repeated occurrence of panic attacks. These attacks are characterized by discrete episodes of intense anxiety or fear accompanied by somatic, cognitive and behavioural symptoms. When panic disorder is associated with extensive phobic avoidance and impairment of overall functioning a diagnosis of panic disorder with agoraphobia is made.