Structural abnormalities in nucleus accumbens in patients with panic disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Neuroimaging

Background:

• Pathogenesis of panic attacks is understood, but long-term fear memories and avoidance behavior in panic disorder (PD) lack neurobiological investigation.
• Animal studies suggest the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is crucial for long-term fear memories and avoidance behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neurobiological basis of long-term fear memories and avoidance behavior in PD.
• To compare NAcc structure between PD patients and healthy controls (HC).
• To assess the association between NAcc abnormalities and anxiety levels.

Main Methods:

• Structural MRI was used to evaluate NAcc volume and shape in 38 PD patients and 38 HC.
• Correlation analyses examined the relationship between NAcc structural differences and anxiety scores (STAI-Trait, STAI-State).

Main Results:

• PD patients showed significant bilateral NAcc volume reductions compared to HC.
• PD patients exhibited significant inward deformation in the bilateral NAcc.
• Right NAcc shape deformation correlated with higher STAI-Trait and STAI-State scores in PD patients.

Conclusions:

• PD is associated with reduced NAcc volumes, particularly in lateral regions.
• NAcc shape deformation, especially in the right side, is linked to trait and state anxiety in PD.
• These NAcc alterations may underlie the fear memories and avoidance behaviors observed in PD.