title: Neuropsychological impairments in panic disorder: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a growing body of literature investigating the neuropsychological profile of panic disorder (PD), some of which suggests potential cognitive dysfunction. This paper systematically reviews the existing literature on neuropsychological performance in PD.
  
  
  METHODS
  PsycINFO, EMBASE, MEDLINE and PsycARTICLES databases were searched to identify articles reporting on neuropsychological function in PD published in English during the time period 1980 to March 2012. 14 studies were identified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was limited support for impairment in short term memory among individuals with PD, although this was not found across all studies. Overall, the reviewed studies did not support the presence of impairment in other areas of cognitive functioning, including executive function, long term memory, visuospatial or perceptual abilities and working memory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies with samples of fewer than 15 participants per group were excluded from this review. A limited amount of research has been published on this topic and small sample sizes (under 25 per group) have been used by many studies. Therefore, the current review is based on a small number of studies with limited power.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is limited evidence of specific neuropsychological impairments in participants with PD. Impairments in short term memory warrant further investigation to establish their relevance to clinical practice. Larger sample sizes and appropriate statistical adjustment for multiple comparisons in future studies is highly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Health Psychology, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, UK; NHS Tayside, Psychological Therapies Service, Dundee, UK. Electronic address: Kate.O'Sullivan@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Health Psychology, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Emily F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention; D003071:Cognition; D056344:Executive Function; D006801:Humans; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D010465:Perception; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards*; D058028:Research Report / Q000592:standards
keywords: Cognitive impairment; Neuropsychology; Panic disorder; Review