Parahippocampal gray matter density in panic disorder: a voxel-based morphometric study

Am J Psychiatry. 2003 Mar;160(3):566-8. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.160.3.566.

Abstract

Objective: The authors examined possible cerebral gray matter abnormalities in patients with panic disorder.

Method: Gray matter concentration in 18 panic disorder outpatients and 18 healthy subjects was compared by using a voxel-based morphometry approach.

Results: Gray matter density of the left parahippocampal gyrus was significantly lower in patients with panic disorder compared with healthy subjects.

Conclusions: This result provides further support for the involvement of the parahippocampal area in the pathophysiology of panic disorder.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agoraphobia / diagnosis
  • Agoraphobia / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Functional Laterality
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Panic Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Panic Disorder / physiopathology
  • Parahippocampal Gyrus / anatomy & histology*
  • Parahippocampal Gyrus / physiopathology