Memory and Covariation Estimation Processes in Panic Disorder Patients

Panic patients are characterized by episodes of intense anxiety accompanied by bodily symptoms like palpitations, breathlessness, sweating, etc. Distorted or biased cognitive processes related to bodily symptoms are assumed to play a major role for the development and maintenance of these panic attacks. In a series of studies, our group has examined biased memory and covariation processes in panic patients compared to healthy participants. Behavioral as well as event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were registered. A memory bias in favor of body-related stimuli was verified for explicit but not for implicit memo…