Effects of alprazolam and clonidine on carbon dioxide-induced increases in anxiety rating in healthy human subjects

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Life Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0024-3205(89)90255-5· OSTI ID:5630946

Woods, S W; Krystal, J H; Heninger, G R; Charney, D S

In order to investigate possible neurobiologic mechanisms underlying carbon dioxide-induced anxiety, the effects of oral alprazolam 0.75 mg and intravenous clonidine 2 mcg/kg on CO/sub 2/-induced increases in ratings of subjective anxiety, pulse rate, and ventilation were measured in healthy human subjects. Pretreatment with alprazolam but not with clonidine significantly reduced the CO/sub 2/-induced increases in ratings of anxiety. Neither drug altered CO/sub 2/-induced increases in pulse rate or ventilatory responses. Clonidine did produce potent sedative and hypotensive effects. The behavioral data suggest that the mechanisms through which CO/sub 2/ induces anxiety-like effects involve neural systems regulated by benzodiazepine receptors and, secondly, that they appear not to require normal functioning of noradrenergic systems. Carbon dioxide may provide a useful model system for identification of new drugs with anxiolytic properties.

• Research Organization: Yale Univ. School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5630946
• Journal Information: Life Sci.; (United States), Vol. 45:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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