BRAIN-STEM EVOKED-POTENTIALS IN PANIC DISORDER

Patient reports and laboratory tests support the notion that panic att acks are generated by stimulation of brainstem nuclei. Scalp-recorded brainstem auditory evoked potentials may serve as a unique measurement strategy for the noninvasive assessment of the role of brainstem func tioning in panic disorder. Ipsilateral and contralateral BSAEP recordi ngs were examined in response to separate left and right ear click sti mulation in 28 patients with a diagnosis of panic disorder and in 18 n ormal controls. Latency measures did not differentiate between the pat ient and control groups but amplitudes of wave III and V were found to be larger in patients. These findings are discussed in relation to pa thophysiological and neurochemical theories of panic and specific emph asis is placed on serotonergic function.