Sung Han, a neuroscientist at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and his team have made a ground-breaking discovery that could significantly impact the treatment of panic disorders. To control the symptoms of panic disorder, they found a fundamental brain circuit that depends on a neuropeptide known as Pituitary Adenylate Cystase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP). This novel finding challenges the traditional focus on the amygdala, the brain’s fear centre, as the sole area responsible for panic responses.
The team’s studies highlight the lateral parabrachial nucleus (PBL) in the pons region of the brainstem, traditionally known as the brain’s alarm centre. This area manages basic physiological processes such as breathing and heart rate and is now also understood to play a pivotal role in panic attacks through the production of PACAP. The way PACAP interacts with its receptors in the dorsal raphe opens up new, more targeted ways to treat diseases, going beyond treatments that mainly target the brain’s serotonin system.
References
Kang, S. J., Kim, J.-H., Kim, D.-I., Roberts, B. Z., & Han, S. (2024). A pontomesencephalic PACAPergic pathway underlying panic-like behavioral and somatic symptoms in mice. Nature Neuroscience, 27(1), 90-101. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-023-01504-3
Dr. Terry McIvor is the founder of the International Guild of Hypnotherapy, NLP and 3 Principles Practitioners and Trainers. (IGH3P)
IGH3P is a professional development body which develops the skills of coaches, Hypnotherapist and NLPers.
He is an educationalist of over 20 years experience and has been accredited as a STEM and Science expert at level 6 and 7 by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (OFQUAL) in the U.K.
Dr. Terry is also an NLP trainer, Master Hypnotist, a qualified Hypnotherapist and 3 Principles Coach.
He is trainer for most of the leading hypnosis professional bodies in the U.S including IACT, ICBCH,IMDHA, and the Elman Institute,
Dr. Terry has set up his own accredited STEM school in the U.K. called AISR, it is through his academy he conducts his teaching and research.
Learn more at www.IGH3P.com. You can email him at registrar@igh3p.com
Connect with him through the social media:
Twitter/X – @IGH3P_
Facebook – www.facebook.com/TerryIGH3P
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@IGH3P
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/igh3p_coach_accreditedtraining/
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@igh3p?_t=8hRaTlXPM4f&_r=1, https://www.tiktok.com/@synaptictrainer?_t=8hRaaPYBY81&_r=1
https://wikitia.com/wiki/Dr_Terence_Mclvor
For more great lifestyle content see here.
