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Infrequent occurrence of EEG abnormalities in panic disorder
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities are not common in panic disorder patients. This study found no EEG evidence of seizures, suggesting panic disorder is likely not an epileptiform disorder, though brain structures are involved.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities are frequently reported in panic disorder.
- Controlled studies investigating EEG findings in panic disorder are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of EEG abnormalities in medication-free patients with panic disorder.
- To determine if EEG abnormalities correlate with psychosensory symptoms in panic disorder.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated EEGs of 35 consecutively assessed, medication-free patients diagnosed with panic disorder.
- Analyzed EEG data for nonspecific abnormalities and evidence of ictal (seizure-related) activity.
Main Results:
- Only five patients (14%) exhibited nonspecific EEG abnormalities.
- No patients displayed EEG evidence suggestive of an ictal process.
- No significant association was found between EEG abnormalities and psychosensory symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Panic disorder is unlikely to be an epileptiform disorder based on EEG findings.
- Temporal lobe and limbic structures are likely crucial in the pathophysiology of panic.
- Further research into the neurobiological underpinnings of panic disorder is warranted.