OBJECTIVE: The authors tested the hypothesis that hyperreactivity to CO2
in healthy subjects represents an underlying familial vulnerability to
panic disorder. METHOD: One vital-capacity inhalation of 35% CO2 and 65% O2
was administered to each of 84 patients with panic disorder, 23 healthy
first-degree relatives of probands with panic disorder, and 44 healthy
subjects with no family history of panic disorder. RESULTS: The
first-degree relatives of the probands with panic disorder reacted
significantly more than the healthy subjects and significantly less than
the probands. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest an association between
family history of panic disorder and hyperreactivity to 35% CO2 in healthy
subjects.
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