HYPERCAPNIC VENTILATORY RESPONSE IN PATIENTS WITH PANIC DISORDER BEFORE AND AFTER ALPRAZOLAM TREATMENT AND IN PREMENSTRUAL AND POSTMENSTRUAL WOMEN

We tested the ventilatory and anxiety response to hypercapneic (CO2) c hallenge in women with panic disorder as well as in normal women in th e premenstrual phase and mid-points of their menstrual cycles. Panic d isorder patients were challenged on two occasions. each time while in the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. receiving an open trial of alprazolam through the intervening 8 weeks between tests. This stu dy confirms previous reports indicating increased sensitivity to CO2 i n patients with panic disorder and that this sensitivity can be attenu ated by treatment. We found a significant decrease in the ventilatory response of panic disorder patients comparing pre- and post-therapy. W e also observed that normal females, while in the premenstrual phase o f their menstrual cycle, have a heightened anxiety response to CO2 cha llenge.