Progesterone Receptor Gene Polymorphism in Panic Disorder: Associations with Agoraphobia and Respiratory Subtype of Panic Disorder

GENDER-SPECIFIC ASSOCIATION OF VARIANTS IN THEAKR1C1GENE WITH DIMENSIONAL ANXIETY IN PATIENTS WITH PANIC DISORDER: ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF NEUROSTEROIDS IN ANXIETY?

“…[35] This suggests that the enzyme is capable to regulate the levels of progesterone and its action on receptors in specific brain regions. [40,41] The most interesting finding from the present study is that only female patients showed a significant association of SNPs in the AKR1C1 gene with dimensional anxiety. [12] The presence of 20α(3α)-HSD in hippocampal neurons is of specific interest for the genetic association with anticipatory anxiety because anticipation is connected with memory functions processed in this brain area.…”

“…Furthermore, previous small genetic association studies in a Swedish and a Turkish cohort with PD showed positive case-control and female-specific associations of a functional polymorphism (G331A) and an insertion/deletion polymorphism (PROGINS, rs1042838; MPI P = .05, data not shown) in the progesterone receptor gene suggesting that these genetic mutations might also modulate gender-specific effects of progesterone. [40,41] The most interesting finding from the present study is that only female patients showed a significant association of SNPs in the AKR1C1 gene with dimensional anxiety. In fact, a number of clinical and preclinical studies suggest an important role of progesterone and the derivate allopregnanolone on anxiety levels specifically in women.…”

Panic disorder respiratory subtype: psychopathology and challenge tests – an update

“…60 Several biological markers of PD, such as antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase), indicators of cellular immunity (adenosine deaminase), biochemical targets (phosphate levels), and genes related to hormone synthesis (namely, the PROGINS variant of the progesterone receptor gene) did not discriminate between RS and NRS. [61][62][63] A recent neuroimaging study 64 identified structural differences between the RS and NRS groups, defined according to the criteria of Briggs et al 29 RS patients had decreased cortical thickness in the frontotemporal cortex, which might be related to perception of respiratory changes (i.e., dyspnea) and emotional deregulation. 64 In another recent study, the magnitude of cardiorespiratory symptoms influenced the activation of some cortical areas (such as the insula) and brainstem in PD patients exposed to panic-related scenes.…”

“…Several biological markers of PD, such as antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase), indicators of cellular immunity (adenosine deaminase), biochemical targets (phosphate levels), and genes related to hormone synthesis (namely, the PROGINS variant of the progesterone receptor gene) did not discriminate between RS and NRS. 61 - 63 …”

A Meta-Analysis of Sleep Disturbances in Panic Disorder

“…For example, Schredl et al [33] reported an NPA prevalence rate of 37%, whereas Stein et al [20] reported a figure almost twice as high (68%). Moreover, different authors use different frequency criteria, ranging from "at least one lifetime NPA" [34][35][36], to "two to four NPA per year" [33], to "a minimum of four NPA per month" [37], or to "many times per week" [33]. A summary of the data is indicated in order to gain clarity on the rate of NPA in patients with PD.…”