Document Detail


Panic disorder. Pathophysiology and drug treatment.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  7774510     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Advances over the past 2 decades in our understanding of the biology of panic disorder have paralleled a remarkable increase in the development of new pharmacological agents with antipanic effects. Although we can not presently use biological tests to help with our choice of therapeutic agent for individual patients, we can use this biological understanding in the development of overall pharmaco-therapeutic strategies. Current evidence does not support the hypothesis that panic disorder is associated with a primary disorder in one neurotransmitter system. Rather, the data suggest that the biological aetiology of panic disorder is related to abnormalities in the function of a variety of neurotransmitters including serotonin (5-hydroxytyrptamine; 5-HT), noradrenaline (norepinephrine), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine, and cholecystokinin. It is likely, however, that panic disorder is a biologically heterogeneous condition and that biological subtypes may exist in which the primary abnormality may involve one or a few neurotransmitter systems. Currently, the data best support the hypothesis that pharmacotherapeutic agents with primary action at sites within the GABA and serotonin systems are the most effective in the treatment of panic disorder. Nevertheless, some patients will respond well to drugs with predominant activity in other systems, or may require pharmacotherapy designed to affect the function of more than 1 neurotransmitter. As our understanding of the biological aetiology of panic disorder evolves, the pharmacotherapeutic agents and strategies used in the treatment of this disorder will continue to evolve as well.
Authors:
M R Johnson; R B Lydiard; J C Ballenger
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Drugs     Volume:  49     ISSN:  0012-6667     ISO Abbreviation:  Drugs     Publication Date:  1995 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1995-07-11     Completed Date:  1995-07-11     Revised Date:  2008-11-21    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  7600076     Medline TA:  Drugs     Country:  NEW ZEALAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  328-44     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Benzodiazepines / administration & dosage,  pharmacology,  therapeutic use*
Cholecystokinin / physiology
Cognitive Therapy / methods,  standards
Dopamine / physiology
Humans
Norepinephrine / physiology
Panic Disorder / drug therapy,  physiopathology*,  therapy
Serotonin / physiology
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors / administration & dosage,  pharmacology,  therapeutic use*
Synaptic Transmission / physiology
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / physiology
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors; 12794-10-4/Benzodiazepines; 50-67-9/Serotonin; 51-41-2/Norepinephrine; 56-12-2/gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; 9011-97-6/Cholecystokinin

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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