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Serotonergic function in social phobia: comparison to normal control and obsessive-compulsive disorder subjects
E Hollander1, J Kwon, F Weiller
1Department of Psychiatry, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA.
Psychiatry Research
|August 15, 1998
Summary
Social phobia patients showed altered cortisol responses to m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP), a serotonin agonist. Female social phobics exhibited a more pronounced cortisol reaction, suggesting potential serotonin system differences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Social phobia is a common anxiety disorder.
- Serotonin system dysfunction is implicated in various psychiatric conditions.
- The role of serotonin in social phobia requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neuroendocrine response to m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) in individuals with social phobia.
- To compare these responses with those of normal controls and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) controls.
- To explore potential sex differences in the response.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge study.
- Participants included patients with social phobia, normal controls, and OCD controls.
- Hormonal responses (prolactin and cortisol) to m-CPP were measured.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in prolactin response to m-CPP were observed across groups.
- A significant difference in cortisol response to m-CPP was found across groups.
- Female social phobics demonstrated a more robust cortisol response compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary evidence suggests serotonin system alterations in social phobia, particularly in females.
- The findings highlight a potential neuroendocrine marker for social phobia.
- Replication in larger sample sizes is necessary to confirm these results.