A neuropsychological study of panic disorder: negative findings.
BACKGROUND
Gray (1982) proposed that the septo-hippocampal system, which plays an important role in learning and memory, may partially mediate anxiety. Thus, patients with anxiety disorders may manifest neurocognitive performance deficits. We hypothesized that patients with panic disorder would demonstrate learning and memory deficits relative to normal comparison subjects.


METHODS
Comprehensive neuropsychological batteries were administered to 69 panic disorder subjects and 19 normal volunteers.


RESULTS
There were no significant group differences in any neuropsychological performance domain including learning, memory, attention, visuospatial functioning, and psychomotor speed. Multiple regression conducted to evaluate the contribution of clinical symptoms to neuropsychological impairment within the panic disorder sample revealed that anxiety severity did not affect neuropsychological test performance.


CONCLUSIONS
Most patients had mild or moderate, rather than severe, panic disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuropsychological dysfunction was not associated with panic disorder.
Gladsjo
J A
JA
Psychiatric Service San Diego Veterans Affairs Hospital Services, CA, USA.
Rapaport
M H
MH
McKinney
R
R
Lucas
J A
JA
Rabin
A
A
Oliver
T
T
Davis
J
J
Auerbach
M
M
Judd
L L
LL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*