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Elevated serum lactate following hyperventilation during glucose infusion in panic disorder
R J Maddock1, J Mateo-Bermudez
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California Davis School of Medicine.
Biological Psychiatry
|February 15, 1990
Summary
Patients with panic disorder show elevated serum lactate levels during a non-exercise metabolic challenge. This suggests a potential metabolic difference in panic disorder beyond physical fitness.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Psychiatry
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Previous studies indicated higher lactate production during exercise in panic disorder patients compared to controls.
- These findings suggested a potential metabolic difference, but fitness levels were an uncontrolled variable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum lactate response in panic disorder patients during a non-exercise metabolic challenge.
- To determine if panic disorder is associated with altered lactate metabolism independent of physical fitness.
Main Methods:
- Serum lactate was measured in panic disorder patients and controls.
- A metabolic challenge involving voluntary hyperventilation and iatrogenic hyperglycemia was administered.
- Anxiety levels and serum phosphate were also monitored.
Main Results:
- Voluntary hyperventilation during hyperglycemia increased serum lactate in both groups.
- The increase in serum lactate was significantly greater in panic disorder patients than in controls.
- Hyperventilation induced panic attacks in 4 out of 8 patients, but none in controls.
Conclusions:
- Panic disorder patients exhibit an exaggerated serum lactate response to a non-exercise metabolic challenge.
- This finding supports a metabolic difference in panic disorder, distinct from physical fitness.
- The study provides evidence for altered lactate metabolism in panic disorder pathophysiology.