Body fluids after CO2 inhalation: insight into panic mechanisms?
Blood gases and electrolyte fluctuations were studied in arterial blood, after a single 35% CO2-65% O2 inhalation, which is known to trigger panic attacks in patients with panic disorder. The immediate effect of this maneuver was a brief hypercapnic acidosis followed by a slight alkalotic rebound, with shifts in Ca2+ and K+. The possible effect of these changes on neuronal membrane excitability is discussed, referring to recent experimental findings in panic provocation.
D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium