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Panic Disorder and Cardiac Risk

NCT00168506 · Status: UNKNOWN · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 50

Last updated 2007-04-05

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The reason for increased cardiac mortality in panic disorder has not been precisely identified, but possibly is due to chronic activation of the cardiac stimulant (sympathetic) nerves, which may predispose the individual with panic disorder to disorders of cardiac rhythm and coronary artery spasm. The uniqueness of this study lies in its comprehensive evaluation of a psychobiological approach to the treatment of panic disorder using change in biological, behavioural and psychological variables as criteria for efficacy. 50 patients aged between 18 and 60 years will be recruited; both males and females. They will be treated with either cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) antidepressants or a combination of both.

This project will firstly compare individuals with panic disorder who demonstrate abnormal brain transmitter (noradrenaline, serotonin) with those who demonstrate normal activity of these neurotransmitters, on interoceptive accuracy for changes in sympathetic nervous system arousal. It is predicted that individuals who demonstrate abnormal activity of these neurotransmitters will also demonstrate enhanced interoceptive ability to detect changes in arousal levels. Secondly, this project will evaluate the effects of a psychobiological treatment approach to panic disorder involving a combination of CBT and SSRI. This approach will be compared to the effects of both these interventions alone on a comprehensive array of measures related to panic disorder. It is predicted that the combined approach will be the most effective intervention on behavioural, psychological and biological variables, and cardiac risk. We will also be able to assess whether changes in panic disorder severity are associated with changes in interoceptive accuracy.

Conditions

  • Panic Disorder

Interventions

DRUG

SSRI

DRUG

CBT

DRUG

CBT/SSRI

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia

    collaborator OTHER

  • Baker Heart Research Institute

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Murray A Esler, MBBS Phd · Baker Heart Research Insitute

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2002-06-30
Completion
2008-12-31

Countries

  • Australia

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00168506 on ClinicalTrials.gov