[Panic disorder--psychobiological aspects of personality dimensions].
BACKGROUND
Attempts to understand the underlying mechanisms of association between psychological factors and panic disorder have been mostly based on psychodynamic description. Evidence of the importance of serotonergic (5-HT) system in panic disorder (PD), however, has substanti ally increased in recent years.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of our study was to determine whether there was a specific personality profile of panic disorder patients and how it was related to possible neurobiological mechanisms underlying personality dimensions.


METHODS
Sample consisted of 14 inpatients with ICD-X diagnosis of panic disorder and 34 healthy control subjects. Personality dimensions were assessed by Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-201) and Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire (TPQ). To assess central 5-HT function, platelet monoamine-oxidase (MAO) activity was measured.


RESULTS
In panic disorder group, higher scores of histrionic, depressive and hypochondriac subscales and significant increase of harm avoidance (HA) scale as well as low MAO activity were found. Negative correlation was established between MAO activity and psychopathic deviance MMPI scale.


CONCLUSIONS
The obtained results might indicate a specific personality profile of patients with panic disorder, which is characterized by high neuroticism, fearfulness, inhibition, shyness and apprehensive worry. Low MAO activity and high HA scores possibly indicate underlying hyperserotonergic state. The observed correlation between personality traits and MAO activity provide additional support for the hypothesized functional relationship between underlying central monoaminergic activity and temperament traits associated with anxiety, depression and impulsivity.
Draganić-Rajić
Saveta
S
Institute of Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade. sagomat@eunet.yu
Lecić-Tosevski
Dusica
D
Paunović
Vladimir R
VR
Cvejić
Vesna
V
Svrakić
Dragan
D
D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000201:enzymology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000097:blood; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D010551:Personality; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism
D012701:Serotonin; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase