A cure for panic attacks may be on the way after brain discovery

Scientists say they have discovered a key brain pathway that could pave the way for new treatments for panic attacks.

Researchers from the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in California found a brain circuit consisting of neurons that regulate panic-like symptoms in mice. Their findings were published Thursday in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

The scientists set out to map the regions, neurons and connections in the brain that mediate panic attacks.

“Previously, we thought the amygdala, known as the brain’s fear center, was mainly responsible — but even people who have damage to their amygdala can still experience panic attacks, so we knew we needed to look elsewhere,” senior study author Sung Han, an associate professor at Salk, said in a statement.

“Now, we’ve found a specific brain circuit outside of the amygdala that is linked to panic attacks and could inspire new panic disorder treatments that differ from current available panic disorder medications that typically target the brain’s serotonin system,” he added.

An estimated 11% of Americans experience a panic attack each year, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which reported that 2% to 3% of the US population suffers from a panic disorder. 

Symptoms include overwhelming fear, sweaty palms, shortness of breath and a rapid heart rate.

Salk researchers focused their efforts on the lateral parabrachial nucleus, a portion of the brain that relays sensory information.

This brain area produces the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, which regulates stress responses. 

The team studied the PBL’s role in generating panic and spurring emotional and physical changes in mice.

“Emotional and stress-related behaviors have been associated with PACAP-expressing neurons in the past,” explained co-first study author Sukjae Kang, a senior research associate in Han’s lab.

“By mimicking panic attacks in the mice, we were able to watch those neurons’ activity and discover a unique connection between the PACAP brain circuit and panic disorder,” Kang added.

The researchers found that panic symptoms could be lessened by inhibiting PACAP signaling.

Now, they want to turn their attention to the connection between anxiety and panic.

Panic attacks can come on suddenly and for no apparent reason, Han shared, while anxiety disorders typically have clear triggers. 

“Because anxiety seems to be operating conversely to the panic brain circuit, it would be interesting to look at the interaction between anxiety and panic, since we need to explain now how people with anxiety disorder have a higher tendency to experience panic attack,” Han said.