New blood tests for panic disorder

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Oct, 2007

Blood tests for panic disorder and other mental health conditions potentially are around the corner, according to a study by the University of Iowa, Iowa City. The findings were based on analysis of genetic information in immature white blood cells. "The ability to test for panic disorder is a quantum leap in psychiatry," claims Robert Philibert, professor of psychiatry. "Panic disorder will no longer be a purely descriptive diagnosis, but, as with cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, and other conditions, a diagnosis based on genetic information. In addition, the finding could help us better understand the pathways that initiate, promote, and maintain panic disorder."

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The team compared gene expression in lymphoblasts (immature white blood cells) culled from participants with panic disorder and those without the disorder. The study found many genes were more expressed in people with panic disorder than in individuals without the condition. Similarly, many genes were less expressed in persons with panic disorder. There also were sex-related differences. Overall, people with panic disorder had noticeably different patterns of gene expression than individuals without the disorder. Although panic disorder is a disease of brain cells, the study used lymphoblasts as "stand-ins" for the genetic testing because brain cells are not accessible or easily tested.

Approximately three percent of people in the U.S. have panic disorder, which involves having at least one panic attack every four weeks. Panic attacks can involve up to 10 symptoms, including palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, and a feeling of loss of control or dying--symptoms that are very similar to those of a heart attack. "People with panic disorder often end up in the emergency room for heart tests when, in fact, they have panic disorder. This is just one of the reasons that it would be helpful to have a blood test for panic disorder," Philibert suggests.

A blood test for commercial use is being developed, which raises larger questions about how information revealed by such tests will be used. The issue of patient medical records and how they potentially can be used by employers, insurers, government agencies, and other institutions is a concern, Philibert cautions.

"Science is like a hammer. You can use it to build a house or break a window. We certainly intend for this finding to help people manage their disease and, when possible, to prevent it from affecting their lives. If we can, it could help us identify systems that interact with the environment and possibly lead the way to new, even non-drug, therapies to prevent illness."