Panic Attacks Link To A Missing Neurochemical Receptor
Biology Saturday, January 24, 2004 . This is a SciScoop post by Jay
An article in New Scientist claims that people who suffer from panic attacks lack a key neurochemical receptor in their brains. Their findings throw light on the molecular mechanisms that predispose a person to anxiety
The work also means the receptor could provide a biological marker for the condition when considered with other factors. Panic disorder can run in families, so the marker may help to identify vulnerable relatives of a patient who has already been diagnosed.
Options
Comment Form
About
SciScoop Science News is a forum for news, views and controversial conjectures. Please contact us if would like to submit a guest post.
SciScoop Top Authors
- Total posts: 3177
- David Bradley (416)
- Bunyip (35)
- Chad (85)
- Drog (407)
- DV8 2XL (25)
- Wayne Goode (69)
- Gpmap (27)
- Ricky James (1367)
- Mertero (22)
- Mtigges (34)
- AP Smith (171)
- Sweetwind (64)
8 Responses to Panic Attacks Link To A Missing Neurochemical Receptor
gypsysoul
January 25th, 2004 at 10:33 am
This link gives credence to what I knew in general terms when my daughter suffered panic attacks several years ago in high school. I wish the number of test subjects had been larger, but if other studies are producing the same results, surely we may draw the same conclusions.
I tried without success to cajole, empathize, tolerate, and simply love my daughter out of these episodes. When she said, “I’d rather die than live like this,” at age fifteen, I knew we had to get help immediately. Medical treatment and counseling for stress/anxiety were so beneficial that she’s not had a panic attack since that time. If she ever does again, she’ll know how to approach the terrifying problem.
She does have mitral valve prolapse, and many who have mvp suffer panic attacks at some point in their lives.
My daughter’s experience is one of the many reasons I defend the use of medication to address brain malfunctions — not just,
as some apparently believe, popping a pill to get happy.
adiffer
January 25th, 2004 at 11:29 am
Anyone who thinks all brain disorders can be handled via an extended effort of willpower needs a long lesson in how the endocrine system works. Throw off just one of the many hormones that float around in the bloodstream at it can be impossible to function.
I saw this with a past girl-friend’s thyroid under-activity and did the research to understand what was happening to her. These people need help just as much as someone with a broken leg or deep cut.
The complexities we will discover in the interface between the endorcrine and central nervous systems will make all this obvious to anyone willing to look past their ignorance and help those who need the help.
gypsysoul
January 25th, 2004 at 12:49 pm
and where were you all those months ago when this little sparring match appeared on sciscoop?!
adiffer
January 26th, 2004 at 12:55 am
I was slaving away in a cold, pigeon-filled hangar. 8)
rickyjames
January 26th, 2004 at 2:48 am
Hey, skimmed your site, VERY interesting. Wouldn’t you just LOVE to do a story about Away24 and post it here on SciSCoop under our brand new Aerospace logo? And do some sort of cross -promotional work so your 200 members come to our Scoop site for a visit and out 900 Scoop members go for a visit to yours?
Ome more thing – when do you do the overflight of Area 51 and what’s going to be in the camera package?
gypsysoul
January 26th, 2004 at 5:50 am
As a teacher, I deem your absence justified. Case dismissed. :-)
axonpain
January 26th, 2004 at 12:27 pm
My own studies:
Adams, J. Free-Thyroid Hormone Levels in Patients with Panic Disorder. American Psychosomatic Society
Annual Meeting, March 28-31, 1985.
Adams, J. Electroencephalography of Panic Disorder and Narcolepsy. American Psychiatric Association
Annual Meeting, May 18-24, 1985.
adiffer
January 30th, 2004 at 7:35 pm
Sounds like a good idea. 8)
The article is written and posted for voting here. I will get a version of it over on FFO shortly.
I want to put blinky lights all around the airship and then fly over southern New Mexico near sunrise.
<overvoice>Really! Honest! It’s just a ballloon!</overvoice>