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Flumazenil challenge in social phobia
N J Coupland1, C Bell, J P Potokar
1Psychopharmacology Unit, University of Bristol, School of Medical Sciences, United Kingdom. nc2@ualberta.ca
Depression and Anxiety
|March 21, 2000
Summary
Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, did not significantly increase panic attacks in social phobia patients compared to controls. Situational fears in social phobia do not predict panic responses to flumazenil challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Benzodiazepine antagonist flumazenil can trigger panic attacks in panic disorder patients.
- Panic responses to flumazenil are hypothesized to correlate with situational fears.
- Social phobia patients commonly experience situational anxiety and panic attacks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if flumazenil induces panic attacks in patients diagnosed with social phobia.
- To determine the relationship between social situational fears and flumazenil-induced panic.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, crossover study design was employed.
- Fourteen patients with social phobia and 14 matched controls received intravenous flumazenil (2 mg) or placebo.
- Infusions were administered one hour apart in a single session.
Main Results:
- Two out of 14 social phobia patients experienced panic attacks during flumazenil challenge.
- No significant difference was observed in the rate or severity of panic attacks between social phobia patients and controls.
- Flumazenil did not provoke significantly more panic symptoms in social phobia patients than in controls.
Conclusions:
- Situational fears associated with social cues do not predict panic responses to flumazenil in individuals with social phobia.
- Flumazenil challenge is not a reliable indicator of panic proneness related to social anxiety.
- Further research is needed to understand the neurobiological underpinnings of panic in social phobia.