Elevated plasma levels of neuropeptide Y in patients with panic disorder.

Boulenger, J P; Jerabek, I; Jolicoeur, F B; Lavallée, Y J; Leduc, R; Cadieux, A · Am J Psychiatry · 1996

case_control · Level III

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Abstract

Neuropeptide Y is a pancreatic polypeptide closely associated with noradrenergic activity both in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The objective of this study was to assess plasma neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity in panic disorder. Radioimmunoassays were performed in 12 patients with DSM-III-R panic disorder and two groups of normal comparison subjects (N = 22 and N = 16). Markedly higher plasma neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity was found in patients with panic disorder. Higher plasma neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity suggests that this peptide may be implicated in the etiology or expression of symptoms of panic disorder.

Medical subject headings