[Conceptual aspects of panic disorders]

Pathophysiological mechanisms of panic disorder, which is at present the most frequently investigated psychiatric affection have been elaborated at the level of neurotransmitter systems of the central nervous system and belong into intermedical disciplines (psychopharmacology, neuroradiology, neurophysiology etc.) On this basis neurobiological pathogenetic concepts of panic disorder were postulated: the neuroanatomical hypothesis (1989) and theorem on the hypersensitivity of respiratory centres of the brain stem (false alarm of suffocation) with the corresponding syndrome of hyposensitivity of respiratory centres (syndrome of primary central apnoea - 1993). A special though rather labile interpretation of the genesis of panic disorder is provided by the cognitive concept. Conversion of both approaches would make further advances in research of this interesting clinical entity possible.