惊恐障碍 (PD) 以反复发作、不可预期的、强烈的惊恐体验，伴濒死感或失控感为主要特征，可严重影响患者的社会功能及生活质量。PD 的神经生物学机制至今尚未阐明。既往观点认为，以杏仁核、下丘脑、海马、脑干等为核心的恐惧环路异常活化及前额叶功能不良是 PD 的神经基础。该文主要从脑的功能、结构、代谢等方面对近年来 PD 的磁共振研究进展进行综述。有证据显示前额叶、恐惧环路及枕叶异常活化可能与 PD 的病理机制有关，提示重新修订焦虑障碍模型的必要性。

 Panic disorder (PD) is characterized by recurrent unexpected panic attacks and fear of dying or losing control, which negatively influences the
social functioning and life quality of the patients. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying PD have not been clearly understood. Previous opinion held
that hyperactivity of the fear network which included amygdala, hypothalamus, hippocampus, brain stem and so on and dysfunction of prefrontal cortex
underlay PD. Summarizing recent advances on magnetic resonance imaging studies in PD, this review focuses on the functional, structural and metabolic
neuroanatomical alterations in the specific population. There is evidence to show that the hyperactivity of fear network, prefrontal and occipital cortex may
be involved in the pathophysiology of PD and it is necessary to revise models of anxiety disorder.