EEG power modifications in panic disorder during a temporolimbic activation task: relationships with temporal lobe clinical symptomatology.

Computerized EEG activity derived from the temporal lobes was investigated in normal subjects and panic disorder patients with and without depersonalization and/or derealization, in a resting condition and during an odor stimulation task. Panic patients without depersonalization or derealization showed an increase of fast and a decrease of slow activities independent of odor stimulation. Panic patients with depersonalization and/or derealization showed an increase of slow activity and bilateral lack of responsiveness in the fast alpha frequency band during odor stimulation. Findings suggest there are different EEG patterns in the temporal regions of the two different groups of panic patients during rest and activating conditions.