L'effetto dell'assunzione orale di alcol sui sintomi d'ansia indotti dal test di provocazione con CO2 al 35%

Introduction: alcohol use disorders and panic disorder co-occur with a high degree of comorbidity which may be related to psychological or biological factors. The pharmacology of alcohol and the underlying comorbidity has been rarely examined using experimental methodologies. The present study aims to evaluate the anxiolytic effect of small dose of alcohol in sperimental panic (35% CO2 challenge). Methods: placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised, cross-over design. Eight healthy volunteers were enrolled (power = 95%). After alcohol and placebo intake, subjects underwent the 35% CO2 challenge. Assessment: STAI-1, SAS, PSL, VAAS, POMS. Results: the PSL score was significantly lower after alcohol intake (p = 0.032) if compared with the placebo. The VAAS shows a trend to be lower after alcoholic drinking (p = 0.111). Moderate doses of alcohol (0,41  0,05 mg/ml) decreases the response to a 35% CO2 challenge in healthy volunteers. These results agree with the literature and confirm the anxiolytic effect of alcohol.