Applications of the pharmacologic challenge strategy in panic disorders research

The pharmacologic challenge has proven useful in panic disorder research because of its ability to stress neurobiologic systems theorized to be involved in panic anxiety and thereby to reveal possible neurobiologic dysfunction within those systems. Data from pharmacologic challenges in panic patients are reviewed. These data provide strong support for abnormal regulation of noradrenergic function and some or no support for abnormal regulation of other neuronal systems in panic disorder. Further applications of the pharmacologic challenge in panic disorder are discussed.