Introduction. Tribute to Robert Heath, M.D, a pioneer in human implanted cortico-subcortical microelectrodes. Objectives. We evaluate retrospective electroencephalography (EEG), local evoked potentials ((LEP) and extracellular unitary activity (EUA) of patients with diagnosis of panic disorder in association of simple partial seizures. These patients had presences or absence of agoraphobia. They received treatment with clonazepam or diazepam. Patients and methods. Ten patients with implanted cortico-subcortical microelectrodes were divided in two groups. The five patients of group A M ere treated with clonazepam and the five patients of group B with diazepam Results. Panic attacks showed EEC thetha activity, increased amplitude of the negative phase of LEP, and an increase in the frequency of EUA in cortico-subcortical organizations. This changes occurred in all organizations with exception of the inhibitory reticular substance. Panic disorder produced abundance of repetitive epileptiform discharges that could precipitate convulsive crisis. Bath benzodiazepines were efficacious although results with clonazepam were observed earlier: at 7 to 14 days. Benzodiazepines increased cortico-subcortical EEG beta activity, decreased amplitude of negative phase of LEP, and diminution in the frequency of EUA. This changes occur red with exception on the inhibitory reticular bsystem. We postulate: a) That panic disorder hyperexcitability at the cortico-subcortical neuronal level may he the result of gabergic dysfunction, or alteration in neuroinhibitory mechanism through GABAA receptors, and through GABA(B) neuromodulator receptors, and b) That them is a direct correlation between GABA inhibitory basic mechanism and electroencephalographic beta activity. Conclusion. Panic disorder produces neuronal hyperexcitability by gabergic dysfunction both benzodiazepines were efficacious in treatment.
