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Electrical stimulation of the periaqueductal gray matter and ventromedial hypothalamus in humans showed the involvement of both these structures in panic attacks. The aim of this work was to make clear the role of dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) matter, dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) and the dorsomedial part of the ventromedial hypothalamus (dmVMH) in panic attack-like behaviors. DMH, dmVMH and dPAG of Wistar rats were treated with N-methyl- d-aspartic acid (NMDA) at different doses. The rodents were then kept in a polygonal arena with a burrow to record panic attack-like responses and oriented defensive behaviors. In dmVMH, 6 nmol of NMDA elicited alertness, freezing and oriented escape. The same set of behaviors was elicited by DMH neurons when stimulated by 9 nmol of NMDA. Treatment of dmVMH with 9 nmol of NMDA elicited typical explosive behaviors followed by freezing and …