Abstract:  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.

Key words: panic disorder, neuroimaging, fear network, prefrontal cortex, occipital cortex