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Abstract
In a single-blind study using sodium lactate infusions to provoke panic attacks, 11
of 15 patients with panic disorder panicked with lactate. None of the 15 control subjects
panicked during lactate administration. Before receiving lactate, higher preinfusion
anxiety levels were present in the patient group as compared to controls. Preinfusion
Acute Panic Inventory (API) scores were significantly higher in patients who panicked
compared to nonpanicking patients. In addition, patients who panicked during lactate
infusion showed a higher mean plasma MHPG level at baseline. During lactate infusion,
however, no increase in plasma MHPG was seen in patients who panicked, nor in nonpanickers
and controls. Several other biochemical and hormonal variables were measured. No single
biochemical or neuroendocrine variable was found to correlate with lactate-induced
panic attacks. It is argued that the baseline arousal level of patients with panic
disorder may be increased, which renders these patients more vulnerable to panic attacks.
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Article info
Publication history
Received in revised form:
December 12,
1988
Received:
August 1,
1988
Identification
Copyright
© 1989 Published by Elsevier Inc.