The Role of “Interoceptive” Fear Conditioning in the Development of Panic Disorder

► We used a differential conditioning paradigm, with scripts referring to different internal, bodily sensations as CS and inhalation of 35% CO2 as UCS. ► We made use of three conditions: “suffocation,” “neutral,” or “urgency”. ► Participants in the suffocation condition were more fearful and showed a significantly higher increase in tidal volume. ► Participants in the two control conditions did not differ in their responses. ► Imaging to suffocate, after being paired with 35% CO2, is able to provoke interoceptive conditioning.