Carbon dioxide inhalation as a human experimental model of panic: The relationship between emotions and cardiovascular physiology

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• 作者：Nicole K. Leibold ; Wolfgang Viechtbauer ; Liesbet Goossens ; Klara De Cort ; Eric J. Griez ; Inez Myin-Germeys ; Harry W.M. Steinbusch ; Dani?l L.A. van den Hove ; Koen R.J. Schruers
• 关键词：Fear ; Anxiety ; CO2 ; Blood pressure ; Heart rate
• 刊名：Biological Psychology
• 出版年：2013
• 出版时间：October, 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：94
• 期：2
• 页码：331-340
• 全文大小：1050 K

文摘

Inhaling carbon dioxide (CO₂)-enriched air induces fear and panic symptoms resembling real-life panic attacks, the hallmark of panic disorder. The present study aimed to describe the emotional and cardiovascular effects evoked by inhaling CO₂, taking shortcomings of previous studies into account. Healthy volunteers underwent a double inhalation of 0, 9, 17.5, and 35 % CO₂, according to a randomized, cross-over design. In addition to fear, discomfort, and panic symptom ratings, blood pressure and heart rate were continuously monitored. Results showed a dose-dependent increase in all self-reports. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure rose with increasing CO₂ concentration, whereas heart rate results were less consistent. Diastolic blood pressure and heart rate variation correlated with fear and discomfort. Based on this relationship and the observation that the diastolic blood pressure most accurately mimicked the degree of self-reported emotions, it might serve as a putative biomarker to assess the CO₂-reactivity in the future.