Psychophysiological and biochemical changes in patients with panic attacks in a defined situational arousal

  • S. Braune
  • M. Albus
  • M. Fröhler
  • T. Höhn
  • G. Scheibe
Original Paper
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Accepted:

Summary

A group of 27 patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia were compared with 10 control subjects before stress exposure. No statistically significant differences between patients and controls were found for the cardiovascular parameters. Skin conductance level and skin conductance reaction were significantly higher in the patient group. They also showed higher self-ratings in behavioural symptoms associated with anxiety. There were statistically significant higher venous plasma levels of norepinephrine in patients than in controls, although the epinephrine levels were similar. The number of binding sites of α2 and the affinity of3H-yohimbine to the α2-receptors on intact thrombocytes was statistically significantly lower in patients compared to controls. Significant differences between the gender groups of patients and controls were found for electrodermal activity and epinephrine levels. These data add further evidence to an overshooting activation of the noradrenergic pathway in patients with panic disorder, possibly based on a dysregulation of α2-receptor

Key words

Panic disorder Stress α-2-receptors Catecholamines Psychophysiology 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1994

Authors and Affiliations

  • S. Braune
    • 1
  • M. Albus
    • 2
  • M. Fröhler
    • 3
  • T. Höhn
    • 4
  • G. Scheibe
    • 5
  1. 1.Department of NeurologyHospital of the University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
  2. 2.State Mental Hospital HaarHaarGermany
  3. 3.BMW AGMünchenGermany
  4. 4.Department of PaediatricsHospital of the University of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
  5. 5.Department of PsychotherapyUniversity of DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany

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