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Panic disorder research rewarded

7 September 2005

Monash research fellow Dr Marlies Alvarenga has won a Young Scientist award at the Eighth Congress of Biological Psychiatry in Vienna, for her research into panic disorder.

Dr Alvarenga (pictured), from the Department of General Practice at Monash and the Baker Heart Research Institute, was one of 49 researchers under the age of 35 awarded at the conference.

She found noradrenaline uptake -- a natural process in human hearts -- was dysfunctional in people with panic disorder (a mental illness in which people experience panic attacks).

Her study also found that panic sufferers released higher levels of an enzyme called neuropeptide Y, which leads to cardiac spasm causing chest pain.

She said cardiac symptoms were among the most frightening symptoms for people with panic disorder.

"Many people having a panic attack often wrongly think they are having a heart attack, and most people who present at hospital emergency departments for heart complications are actually experiencing panic attacks," Dr Alvarenga said.

She said it was a great honour to receive the award from an international committee.

"It is a great privilege -- not only does it recognise the work I've been doing, but it also recognises the efforts of Monash and the Baker Heart Research Institute in this field of study."

Dr Alvarenga is now looking at the use of cognitive behaviour therapy and anti-depressants in treating the physical symptoms of panic disorder and depression to improve the quality of life for people with panic disorders, depression and heart disease.

"If these therapies are an effective treatment for the physical symptoms, they may constitute preventive treatment for the development of cardiovascular disease," she said.

Anyone suffering panic attacks or depression without an existing heart condition or diabetes and who wants to be part of the study should call +61 3 9342 8946 or email psychresearch@mh.org.au.