Effect of hypercapnia and other disturbances in the acid-base-balance on panic disorder.

Naturally occurring panic attacks and various interventions which trigger anxiety in panic patients are accompanied by disturbances in the acid-base balance. Carbon dioxide appears to play an important role in many experimental panic provoking conditions. The influence of respiratory and metabolic pH disturbances on cerebral physiology is discussed and speculations are made about the possible mechanisms underlying CO2-induced anxiety in panic disorder.