Panic attacks: a twin study.
The role of genetic factors in panic disorder (PD) and sporadic panic attacks (SPAs) was investigated. A total of 120 twins recruited from the general population were interviewed for the presence of anxiety disorders and SPAs. A significantly higher concordance among MZ than DZ twins was found for PD (73% vs. 0%) but not for SPAs (57% vs. 43%). These results confirm a significant role of genetic factors in PD but suggest that genetic factors might not be crucial for the development of SPAs.
Perna
G
G
Department of Neuropsychiatric Sciences, Istituto Scientifico H. San Raffaele, University of Milan, Italy.
Caldirola
D
D
Arancio
C
C
Bellodi
L
L
D000328:Adult; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology