Panic: [The contribution of brain imaging to the study of panic disorder]

Entrez PubMed: "The present review is aimed to evaluate the recent contribution of brain imaging techniques to the definition of neuroanatomofunctional models of panic disorder (PD). . . The majority of the reviewed studies suggests that a dysfunction of a neural circuit encompassing prefrontal and temporo-limbic cortices is present in PD. A right hemisphere preferential involvement in PD has been shown by several studies. Reviewed neuroimaging studies suggest a dysfunction of frontal and temporo-limbic circuitries in PD. However, those studies cannot be considered conclusive because of several methodological limitations. Longitudinal and multi-modal studies involving larger patient samples, possibly integrated with population-based and genetic studies, would provide more insight into pathophysiological mechanisms of PD."

[The contribution of brain imaging to the study of panic disorder]
Volpe U, Merlotti E, Mucci A, Galderisi S.
Epidemiol Psichiatr Soc. 2004 Oct-Dec;13(4):237-48.