Objective: The authors evaluated respiratory response to cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK-4) in healthy volunteers.
Method: Subjects were randomly assigned to either a CCK-4 (N = 15) or placebo (N = 15) challenge under double-blind conditions.
Results: Dyspnea was reported by all of the subjects who received CCK-4 but only one subject who received placebo. CCK-4 caused a significant increase in tidal volume and minute ventilation but had no effect on breathing frequency. Placebo had no effect on any of the respiratory measures.
Conclusions: These data indicate that the behavioral effects of CCK-4 are accompanied by changes in respiration in healthy volunteers.