PMID: 11333385May 3, 2001Paper

Cortico-subcortical electrophysiological study during the effects of benzodiazepines in patients with panic disorders

Revista de neurologia
R Guerrero FigueroaI Blanco-Castillo

Abstract

Tribute to Robert Heath, M.D. a pioneer in human implanted corticosubcortical microelectrodes. We evaluate retrospective electroencephalography (EEG), local evoked potentials (LEP) and extracellular unitary activity (EUA) of patients with diagnosis of panic disorder in association of simple partial seizures. These patients had presences or absence of agoraphobia. They received treatment with clonazepam or diazepam. Ten patients with implanted corticosubcortical were divided in two groups. The five patients of group A were treated with clonazepam and the five patients of group B with diazepam. Panic attacks showed EEG thetha activity, increased amplitude of the negative phase of LEP, and an increase in the frequency of EUA in cortico-subcortical organizations. This changes occurred in all organizations with exception of the inhibitory reticular substance. Panic disorder produced abundance of repetitive epileptiform discharges that could precipitate convulsive crisis. Both benzodiazepines were efficacious although results with clonazepam were observed earlier: at 7 to 14 days. Benzodiazepines increased corticosubcortical EEG beta activity, decreased amplitude of negative phase of LEP, and diminution in the frequency of EUA. This ...Continue Reading

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