Cognitive functions in panic disorder: a comparative study with a healthy control group

Abstract

The interface between neuropsychology and psychopathology has been studied with a growing frequency. Nevertheless there is still a great demand of characterizing the cognitive profile of each process among patients with panic disorder (PD). In this study we aimed at verifying if there are differences in the neuropsychological performance between adults with PD and adults from a healthy control group. Thirty adults took part on this study, 15 with clinically diagnosed PD and 15 healthy control subjects, matched by education, age, sociodemographic level and intellectual abilities. A neuropsychological test battery was administered including NEUPSILIN, narrative speech and verbal fluency of MAC battery, WAIS-III subtests, Wisconsin, Hayling, Trail Making Test, Stroop Test, RAVLT, Buschke and Bells Test. The performance was compared between groups by means of the non-parametric test Mann-Whitney (p≤0,05). We found significant differences on executive components: processing speed, initiation, inhibition, episodic and working memory. Further enquires are necessary, with a larger and more homogeneous sample, controlling for depression and agoraphobia.