The CO2 Challenge

Acute inhalation of carbon dioxide (CO2) represents a validated, translational challenge for inducing panic symptoms in healthy volunteers and patients. CHDR uses the CO2 challenge test to demonstrate panicolytic effects of novel anxiolytic drugs.

We administer the CO2 challenge using the CO2 Tolerance Tester (CTT) from Maastricht Instruments, one of our academic partners. Coupled with fully integrated, tailor-made software, the CTT system enables safe and reliable intrapulmonary administration of a controlled gas mixture (35% CO2 and 65% O2) through a protected inhalation system, combined with real-time monitoring of the physiological parameters associated with CO2-induced autonomic nervous system activation (such as heart rate and blood pressure). 

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) guide the performance of the CO2 inhalation challenge. Watch the video for a brief overview of the procedure.