EFFECT OF ALCOHOLISM ON THE INCIDENCE OF LACTATE-INDUCED PANIC ATTACKS

Background: Chronic alcohol use is associated with higher than expecte d rates of panic disorder, Methods: To study the relationship between alcoholism and panic disorder, we administered the panicogenic agent, sodium lactate, to 26 alcoholics with either panic disorder or frequen t panic attacks (ALCPAN), 20 nonalcoholics with panic disorder (PAN), 14 alcoholics without a history of panic attacks, and 14 healthy volun teers. Results: PAN were significantly more likely to have a lactate-i nduced panic attack (65%) than ALCPAN (23%). ALCPAN who had the onset of panic attacks prior to alcoholism also had a reduced frequency of l actate-induced panic attacks (26.7%) compared to PAN, Conclusions: The re is a reduced incidence of lactate-induced panic attacks in ALCPAN. This reduction does not appear to be explained by the relative onset o f panic attacks to alcoholism. The role of excessive alcohol consumpti on in the decreased frequency of lactate-induced panic attacks seen in ALCPAN needs further study. Published 1997 Society of Biological Psyc hiatry.