One of the best ways to understand causes of anxiety and panic attacks is to analyze the underlying cause and nature of the anxiety itself. One of these aspects that continues to emerge is the role that genetics play in anxiety disorders, which contribute to the causes of panic attacks and anxiety in general.
Some anxiety sufferers do not realize this though, and some of the latest research suggests that the gene catechol-O-methyltransferase may be linked to conditions leading to an increase in anxiety. Although this was just a trial study, the results are quite interesting to spur on additional research as this trial study was too small to provide conclusive and substantial data.