%T A 3h-flunitrazepam binding inhibitor is present in psychiatric patients?sera
%P 74-76
%V 18
%I Karger
%A Donatella Marazziti
%A Pietro Pietrini
%A Claudia Martini
%A Gino Giannaccini
%A Giulio Perugi
%A Gian Franco Placidi
%A Giovanni Battista Cassano
%A Antonio Lucacchini
%X We investigated the possible existence of endogenous compounds acting on benzodiazepine central receptors in the serum of patients with panic attacks or depression. Our results show the presence of a substance which inhibits the 3H-fiunitrazepam binding specifically in the samples taken from the patients? groups, and which is not present in normal controls, in the range of concentrations used. This compound has a molecular weight below 1,000 daltons, is heat-stable, and resistant to proteolytic degradation. The demonstration of this inhibitor opens new perspectives in the study of the biochemistry of anxiety.
%D 1987
%L eprints3323
%N 2
%J Neuropsychobiology
%R 10.1159/000118396