The Biology of Panic Disorder

  • Jeremy D. Coplan
  • Laszlo A. Papp
  • Jack M. Gorman
Chapter
Part of the The Depressive Illness Series book series (DISS, volume 4)

Abstract

The burgeoning amount of knowledge recently accumulated about the biology of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (termed collectively PD) may prompt concern for falling into the “blind men feeling the elephant” trap. A plethora of biochemical compounds capable of inducing panic and other severe anxiety states not only supports a biological component in panic disorder, but also tests our definitions of clinical panic states. We are presented the challenge of differentiating primary pathogenesis from secondary and less specific changes in a complex interplay of biological systems.

Keywords

Panic Disorder Panic Attack Metabolic Alkalosis Sodium Lactate Locus Ceruleus 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 1993

Authors and Affiliations

  • Jeremy D. Coplan
    • 1
  • Laszlo A. Papp
    • 1
  • Jack M. Gorman
    • 1
  1. 1.Biological Studies UnitNew York State Psychiatric Institute and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia UniversityNew YorkUSA

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