The prestigious international journal CNS Neurological Disorders Drug Targets (Impact Factor 2012: 3.77) accepted for publication an article on evidences from brain imaging studies of the involvement of the brainstem in panic disorder signed by Giampaolo Perna in collaboration with Italian colleagues .

The article title is "Panic and Brainstem: clues from neuroimaging studies" whose authors: Giampaolo Perna, Giuseppe Guerriero, Paolo Brambilla, Daniela Caldirola.

Abstract

One of the most influential theories has conceived unexpected panic attack (PA) as a primal defensive reaction to threat within the internal milieu of the body. This theory was based on findings suggesting the involvement of a dysfunctional respiratory regulation and/or abnormally sensitive central neural network of CO2/H+ chemoreception in PA. Thus, unexpected PA may be related to phylogenetically older brain structures, including brainstem areas, that process basic functions related to organism’s internal milieu. Brainstem represents a crucial area for regulation of homeostatic functions, including chemoreception and cardio-respiratory control. In addition, animal studies have suggested a potential role of the midbrain dorsal periaqueductal gray in the unconditioned defense reactions to proximal threats, including internal physical stimuli. Our aim was to specifically investigate the potential involvement of brainstem in panic disorder (PD) by a comprehensive review of the available neuroimaging studies. Results do not contradict a role of brainstem in PD and the most compelling evidence is the increased volume of brainstem in patients with PD. Secondly, brainstem serotonergic system seems to be involved in panic modulation with evidences of both altered serotonergic receptors and 5-HT transporter bindings. Finally, the only study investigating brain activation by fMRI during hypercapnic stimulation clearly showed brainstem activation. In conclusion, to date brain imaging studies are sufficient to make specific statements on the involvement of brainstem in PD. However they suggest a probable involvement of this brain area in panic psychopathology and support the key role of subcortical serotonergic system in panic pathogenesis.