The amygdala might be the main target for Donald Klein´s “Real” False Suffocation Alarm hypothesis for triggering panic attacks

•Respiratory abnormalities are frequently linked with anxiety disorders.•Klein proposed spontaneous PAs occur when brain suffocation monitor erroneous signals lack of air.•The amygdala capacity to trigger apnoea may have implications with the treatment of panic.•Panic patients may have the tendency to react to respiratory stimulants like CO2 and triggering the fear network.•The presence of subclinical abnormalities in respiration with amygdala as a main center related to body homeostasis.