Platelet 3H-rauwolscine binding in patients with panic attacks

Abstract

Platelet α2 binding was measured in 14 patients with panic attacks and 21 controls using the antagonist 3H-rauwolscine as radioligand. The mean (± SD) Bmax values of patients (116 ± 45 fmoles/mg protein) and controls (106 ± 32 fmoles/mg protein) was not significantly different (p > 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). There was a nonsignificant trend for the Kd of patients (1.25 ± 0.67 nM) to be higher than that of controls (0.96 ± 0.32nM). The results do not support an adrenergic abnormality in panic patients. © 1987.