Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in panic disorders?

Norepinephrine plays a significant role in panic disorders, largely because it is involved in the body’s response to stress and anxiety. This neurotransmitter is part of the sympathetic nervous system and is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which can trigger panic attacks. When norepinephrine levels are dysregulated, it can lead to heightened arousal and anxiety, contributing to the symptoms experienced in panic disorders.

Panic disorders are characterized by recurrent and unexpected panic attacks, and these episodes are often linked to physiological responses driven by norepinephrine, which can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and feelings of anxiety. Understanding the role of norepinephrine helps in grasping why it is targeted in the treatment of panic disorders, often with medications that help to stabilize its effects in the brain.

Other neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA also influence mood and anxiety but are less directly related to the physiological responses seen in panic disorders compared to norepinephrine.