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Decreased IFN-(gamma) and IL-12 levels in panic disorder
Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 05/24/2012
Clinical Article
Tuke R et al. – The most important implication of the results is to suggest a relation between panic disorder and low levels of IFN–(gamma), compatible with the results of the animal studies showing that IFN–(gamma) plays a role by acting to regulate the development of anxiety–like behaviors.
Methods- Twenty three patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia and twenty three controls were recruited for the study.
- Plasma samples of all subjects were analyzed for TNF–α, IFN–γ, IL–1β, IL–2, IL–6, and IL–12 concentrations and NK–cell activity is measured in the peripheral blood samples of the subjects.
- The authors found significant differences on the mean values of IL–12 (p=0.01) and IFN–γ (p=0.02) between the panic disorder and control groups.
- In a logistic regression analysis, IFN–γ values were significant statistical predictors of the presence of panic disorder (B=–0.07, SE=0.03, p=0.04).
