Clinical and neurophysiological aspects of cognitive disturbances in patients with panic disorders

Auditory event-related potentials P300 were studied in 44 patients with panic disorders (PD) and 23 normal controls. Compared to the controls, the patients differed significantly by the reduced P300 wave amplitude and alteration of its habituation. PD patients also demonstrated more pronounced anxiety, depression, autonomic dysfunction, hyperventilation and attention insufficiency. The patients with atypical PD differed from those with typical PD by reduced P300 wave amplitude, higher depression and lower personality anxiety levels. The data obtained demonstrate that cognitive function disturbances in PD patients as well as qualitative psychoneurophysiologic differences between patients with typical and atypical PD which were most striking for P300 wave amplitude and alteration of its habituation. Therefore, event-related potentials P300 method may be used as a diagnostic tool and should be taken into account in deciding on therapy.