Publication
Title
Emotional processing in panic disorder and its subtypes : an fMRI study using emotional faces
Author
Abstract
Background Inconsistent findings regarding the pathophysiology of panic disorder (PD) could result from clinical heterogeneity. Identifying subtypes could enhance insights into the neurobiological substrates of PD. Methods An emotional faces fMRI paradigm was used in a group of PD patients (n = 73) and healthy controls (n = 58). The overall PD group was further divided into three previously identified subtypes: a cognitive-autonomic (n = 22), an autonomic (n = 16) and an aspecific (n = 35) subtype. Differences in brain activity levels in response to emotional facial expressions between groups were examined for six regions of interests, namely the amygdala, ventromedial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, fusiform gyrus, lingual gyrus and insula. Results PD patients showed lower activity in the rostral anterior cingulate in response to angry faces than healthy controls, which was mainly driven by the autonomic subtype. No significant differences were found in other brain regions when comparing PD patients with controls or when comparing across PD subtypes. Limitations Sample sizes in subgroups were relatively small Conclusions The role of the rostral anterior cingulate cortex for emotional processes critical in panic disorder is highlighted by this study and provides, albeit preliminary, evidence for the use of a subtype approach to advance our neurobiological insights in PD considering its involvement in the appraisal of autonomic viscero-sensory symptoms.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of affective disorders. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2021
ISSN
0165-0327
DOI
10.1016/J.JAD.2021.03.069
Volume/pages
287 (2021) , p. 427-432
ISI
000645439200014
Pubmed ID
33845429
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 12.04.2021
Last edited 02.10.2024
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