Parahippocampal gray matter density in panic disorder: a voxel-based morphometric study.

OBJECTIVE

The authors examined possible cerebral gray matter abnormalities in patients with panic disorder.

METHOD: Gray matter concentration in 18 panic disorder outpatients and 18 healthy subjects was compared by using a voxel-based morphometry approach.

RESULTS

Gray matter density of the left parahippocampal gyrus was significantly lower in patients with panic disorder compared with healthy subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

This result provides further support for the involvement of the parahippocampal area in the pathophysiology of panic disorder.