Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Antibiotic Minocycline Shows Promise as Novel Treatment for Panic Disorder in Clinical Trial

- Researchers from São Paulo State University and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro demonstrated that minocycline, a common antibiotic, reduced panic attack intensity in both mice and 49 human patients with panic disorder. - The study showed minocycline worked as effectively as clonazepam (Rivotril), the standard anti-panic medication, but through a different mechanism targeting brain inflammation rather than GABA receptors. - Minocycline treatment reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-2sRα and IL-6 while increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10, suggesting neuroinflammation plays a key role in panic disorders. - Since minocycline is already approved for human use, clinical trials could advance directly to Phase 2 testing, potentially offering an alternative for the 50% of patients who don't respond to current psychiatric medications.