Ventilatory physiology of patients with panic disorder.

Abstract

Thirty-one patients with DSM-III panic disorder or agoraphobia with panic attacks, 13 normal controls, and 12 patients with other anxiety disorders were studied during ventilatory challenge with room air hyperventilation and 5% carbon dioxide inhalation. Patients also underwent sodium lactate infusion. Among the patients with panic disorder, 58% panicked with sodium lactate, 39% with 5% CO2, and 23% with room air hyperventilation. Of the other patients, four panicked with sodium lactate, none with 5% CO2, and one with room air hyperventilation. One normal control panicked with both sodium lactate and 5% CO2. Panic with CO2 was associated with an exaggerated ventilatory response and increases in plasma norepinephrine level and diastolic blood pressure. Patients with panic disorder may have hypersensitive CO2 receptors that, when triggered, evoke a subjective panic associated with an exaggerated ventilatory response and consequent hypocapnic alkalosis.

• Authors: J M Gorman, M R Fyer, R Goetz, J Askanazi, M R Liebowitz, A J Fyer, J Kinney, D F Klein
• Journal: Archives of general psychiatry (Arch Gen Psychiatry) Vol. 45 Issue 1 Pg. 31-9 (Jan 1988) ISSN: 0003-990X [Print] United States
• PMID: 2827599 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Lactates
• Receptors, Cell Surface
• carbon dioxide receptor
• Carbon Dioxide
• Lactic Acid
• Norepinephrine

Topics

• Adult
• Alkalosis (etiology)
• Anxiety Disorders (chemically induced, etiology, physiopathology)
• Blood Pressure
• Carbon Dioxide (pharmacology)
• Fear
• Female
• Humans
• Hypercapnia (etiology)
• Hyperventilation (complications)
• Lactates
• Lactic Acid
• Male
• Norepinephrine (blood)
• Panic
• Receptors, Cell Surface (drug effects, physiology)
• Respiration (drug effects)