Orbito-Frontal Cortex Volumes in Panic Disorder.
- Author:
Murad ATMACA
1
;
Hanefi YILDIRIM
;
M Gurkan GUROK
;
Muammer AKYOL
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Firat University School of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey. matmaca_p@yahoo.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Panic disorder;
Volume;
OFC;
MRI
- MeSH:
Agoraphobia;
Brain;
Depression;
Humans;
Neuroanatomy;
Panic;
Panic Disorder;
Prefrontal Cortex;
Weights and Measures
- From:Psychiatry Investigation
2012;9(4):408-412
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Given the association between the pathophysiology of panic disorder and prefrontal cortex function, we aimed to perform a volumetric MRI study in patients with panic disorder and healthy controls focusing on the in vivo neuroanatomy of the OFC. METHODS: Twenty right-handed patients with panic disorder and 20 right-handed healthy control subjects were studied. The volumes of whole brain, total white and gray matters, and OFC were measured by using T1-weighted coronal MRI images, with 1.5-mm-thick slices, at 1.5T. In addition, for psychological valuation, Hamilton Depression Rating (HDRS) and Panic Agoraphobia Scales (PAS) were administered. RESULTS: Unadjusted mean volumes of the whole brain volume, total white and gray matter were not different between the patients and healthy controls while the patient group had significantly smaller left (t=-6.70, p<0.0001) and right (t=-5.86, p<0.0001) OFC volumes compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate an alteration of OFC morphology in the panic disorder and suggest that OFC abnormalities may be involved in the pathophysiology of panic disorder.
