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Panic disorder and the respiratory system: clinical subtype and challenge tests
Rafael C Freire1, Antonio E Nardi
1Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, National Institute for Translational Medicine Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. rafaelcrfreire@gmail.com
Revista Brasileira De Psiquiatria (Sao Paulo, Brazil : 1999)
|June 26, 2012
Summary
Panic disorder (PD) is linked to breathing abnormalities, including heightened CO2 sensitivity. Some PD patients exhibit distinct respiratory symptoms, suggesting a specific subtype with altered physiological control mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Physiology
Background:
- Panic disorder (PD) is associated with significant respiratory alterations.
- PD patients often exhibit enhanced sensitivity to respiratory challenges, such as elevated CO2 levels.
- These findings suggest a potential fundamental abnormality in respiratory control mechanisms within PD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature connecting the respiratory system and panic disorder.
- To explore respiratory challenges, subtypes, and mechanistic concepts in PD.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search for articles on respiratory system and PD.
- Focus on respiratory challenges, respiratory subtypes, and mechanistic insights.
Main Results:
- Evidence supports subclinical respiratory and homeostatic changes in PD patients.
- The fear network may be hyper-responsive in PD, with CO2 potentially triggering panic.
- PD patients with prominent respiratory symptoms show heightened sensitivity to respiratory tests, indicating a distinct subtype.
Conclusions:
- Subclinical respiratory and homeostatic dysregulation is evident in PD.
- Abnormal fear network sensitivity and respiratory stimulant effects are implicated in PD.
- A distinct subtype of PD characterized by respiratory symptoms exists, linked to neurochemical system alterations.
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