Sensitivity to 35% CO2 in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with panic disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The authors tested the hypothesis that hyperreactivity to CO2 in healthy subjects represents an underlying familial vulnerability to panic disorder.


METHODS
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.
Perna
G
G
Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Instituto Scientifico H. San Raffaele, University of Milan, Italy.
Cocchi
S
S
Bertani
A
A
Arancio
C
C
Bellodi
L
L
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014797:Vital Capacity
D002245:Carbon Dioxide