Breaking Boundaries in Panic Disorder:
Unveiling Clonidine's Unique Role and Translational Triumphs in Preclinical Models

Newsletter # 110



In vivo models


Panic disorder continues to impose a substantial medical burden, affecting individuals' physical, emotional, and social well-being. While benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are the primary treatment options, not all patients respond adequately to these drugs.
Clonidine, classified as a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, is not typically considered a first-line treatment for panic disorders. Nevertheless, it has been used off-label when other drugs are ineffective. Clonidine may alleviate panic disorder symptoms by reducing norepinephrine release and modulating sympathetic nervous system activity through the stimulation of central alpha-2 adrenergic receptors.

Neurofit's research data have shown that in a preclinical model of panic disorder induced by CCK4 challenge in rats, Clonidine effectively normalized panic-like behavioral symptoms. This, coupled with the reversal effect of the benzodiazepine Diazepam and the SSRI Fluoxetine in the same model, strengthens the translational value of the CCK-4-induced panic rat model for screening drug efficacy.

  • Clonidine normalises the panic anxiety status of CCK-4 challenged rats


    NEUROFIT website

    Left panel :
    Similar to human healthy volunteer trials, the injection of CCK-4 induces panic-like anxiety in rats, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the time spent in the anxiogenic area (open arms) during the test (white vs. black column). Treatment with clonidine prevents CCK-4-induced panic, as indicated by an increase in the time spent in the open arms. This suggests a reduced state of panic in clonidine-treated rats.

  • Reversal of CCK-4-induced panic-like symptom by Clonidine, Fluoxetine and Diazepam

    NEUROFIT website

    Right panel :
    Clonidine produces an anti-panic like effect as Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam) and SSRI (e.g., Fluoxetine) in the preclinical rat model of panic. In the clinical setting, benzodiazepines offer rapid relief from acute panic symptoms but present a risk of dependence and cognitive impairment, while SSRIs provide a longer-term solution with lower abuse potential but may take several weeks to exert their full therapeutic effect.


    Ask for more informations

NEUROFIT offers a range of validated in vitro and in vivo screening tests for psychiatry and neurology.

If you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will reply within few days. Custom protocol

On a regular basis we distribute newsletters with scientific information on our research services. If you wish to receive these, please :