Anxiety disorders: lactate and panic: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Anxiety disorders: lactate and panic

Sample item

Intravenous infusion of sodium lactate or inhalation of carbon dioxide can provoke panic attacks in susceptible people. Which brain region has been implicated?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Locus coeruleus

Panic disorder is linked with noradrenergic hyperactivity in the locus coeruleus, serotonergic dysregulation and hypersensitive brainstem CO2 chemoreceptors. Lactate and CO2 challenges provoke attacks in patients with panic disorder. Yohimbine, an alpha-2 antagonist, also provokes attacks.

Option by option

  • A. Mammillary body

    The mammillary body is linked with memory and Korsakoff syndrome.

  • B. Cerebellar vermis

    The cerebellar vermis is not the panic locus.

  • C. Occipital cortex

    The occipital cortex processes vision and is not implicated.

  • D. Locus coeruleus (correct)

    Correct. The locus coeruleus drives the panic response.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Locus coeruleus. Panic disorder is linked with noradrenergic hyperactivity in the locus coeruleus, serotonergic dysregulation and hypersensitive brainstem CO2 chemoreceptors.

Why is "Mammillary body" not the answer?

The mammillary body is linked with memory and Korsakoff syndrome.

Why is "Cerebellar vermis" not the answer?

The cerebellar vermis is not the panic locus.

Why is "Occipital cortex" not the answer?

The occipital cortex processes vision and is not implicated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Anxiety disorders: lactate and panic in Psychiatry. Lactate and CO2 challenges provoke attacks in patients with panic disorder. Yohimbine, an alpha-2 antagonist, also provokes attacks.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Anxiety disorders: lactate and panic?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.