OBJECTIVE: Because they found in an earlier study that inositol, an
important intracellular second-messenger precursor, was effective against
depression in open and double-blind trials, the authors studied its
effectiveness against panic disorder. METHOD: Twenty-one patients with
panic disorder with or without agoraphobia completed a double- blind,
placebo-controlled, 4-week, random-assignment crossover treatment trial of
12 g/day of inositol. RESULTS: The frequency and severity of panic attacks
and the severity of agoraphobia declined significantly more after inositol
than after placebo administration. Side effects were minimal. CONCLUSIONS:
The authors conclude that inositol's efficacy, the absence of significant
side effects, and the fact that inositol is a natural component of the
human diet make it a potentially attractive therapeutic for panic
disorder.Abstract Teaser