Panic Disorder and Cardiac Risk

NCT00168506 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: NHMRC P - 01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief 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

Keywords

panic disorder; cardiac risk

Interventions

SSRI DRUG

CBT DRUG

CBT/SSRI DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Panic disorder

You may not qualify if:

• Comorbid heart disease
• Comorbid significant psychiatric illness
• Significant suicide risk
• HIV/AIDS hepatitis B/c

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Baker Heart Research Institute: lead
• National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Baker Heart Research Institute

Melbourne, Victoria, 3121, Australia

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Panic Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Murray A Esler, MBBS Phd

  Baker Heart Research Insitute

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

David A Barton, MBBSFRANZCP

CONTACT

61393428946; david.barton@bigpond.com

Murray Esler, PhD

CONTACT

61385321338; Murray.Esler@baker.edu.au

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 10, 2005
• First Posted: September 15, 2005
• Study Start: June 1, 2002
• Study Completion: December 1, 2008
• Last Updated: April 5, 2007

Record last verified: 2007-04

Locations

AU (1)