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Anxiety: Overview

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Panic Disorder

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance

Published on: July 19, 2017

Anxiety--bridging the heart/mind divide.

S J C Davies¹, M Esler, D J Nutt

¹Psychopharmacology Unit, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. simon.davies@bristol.ac.uk

Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)

|April 7, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study explores the interplay between heart and brain in anxiety disorders, particularly panic. It reviews evidence of altered neurotransmitter systems and sympathetic nervous system activity, suggesting new research directions.

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Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance

Published on: July 19, 2017

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cardiovascular Physiology
Psychiatry

Background:

The roles of the heart and brain in anxiety are historically recognized but complex.
Understanding their interplay in anxiety disorders, especially panic, remains challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

To delineate the mechanistic pathways of anxiety disorders, focusing on the heart-brain interaction.
To review current evidence on neurotransmitter systems and autonomic nervous system activity in panic and cardiovascular regulation.

Main Methods:

Review of human brain imaging studies.
Analysis of cardiovascular physiology data.
Examination of evidence for altered sympathetic nervous system activity.

Main Results:

Evidence suggests dysfunction in brain gamma-amino butyric acid-A and serotonin (5HT) systems in panic disorder.
Altered sympathetic nervous system activity in the heart and periphery is implicated in anxiety.

Conclusions:

The heart-brain axis plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders.
Further research is needed to elucidate these mechanisms and develop targeted treatments.