Vincent A. Magnotta1,
2, Casey P. Johnson1, Robin Follmer2, Simon Roh1,
John A. Wemmie2
1Radiology,
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States; 2Psychiatry,
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
The purpose of this study is to evaluate functional T1rho imaging in panic disorder. We used a visual flashing checkerboard to assess dynamic changes in the T1ρ relaxation parameter within the occipital cortex. In addition, BOLD and 31P spectroscopy were obtained using a similar paradigm. We found a significant increase in T1ρ relaxation in panic subjects as compared to controls during the visual activation task within the cuneus bilaterally and a significant decrease in the anterior cingulate bilaterally. In subjects with panic disorder, we found a significant relationship between the magnitude of the T1rho response and symptoms as measured with the Beck Anxiety Inventory. BOLD imaging did not reveal any significant relationships with symptoms.
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