Effect of hyperventilation on evoked motor potential in panic disorder

After previous assessment of a marked influence of hyperventilation on the amplitude of evoked motor potentials (MEP) after magnetic stimulation in healthy subjects, the authors tested how this parameter was influenced in 10 patients with panic disorder. It was confirmed that hyperventilation as one of the pathophysiological and clinical elements links of panic attacks increases the amplitude of the investigated potential. When compared with a group of healthy volunteers the increase of the MEP amplitude in patients with panic disorder is significantly greater (p < 0.1). This priority finding is part of reflections on the pathogenesis of panic attacks.