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Hyperresponsivity to nicotinic acid challenge in generalized social phobia: a pilot study
1Dept. of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. djs2@maties.sun.ac.za
Summary
Patients with social phobia experienced greater flushing and anxiety after taking nicotinic acid, a drug that induces flushing. This suggests a potential neurobiological link between social anxiety disorder and blushing responses.
Area of Science:
- Neurobiology
- Psychiatry
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Blushing is a key symptom of social phobia.
- The neurobiology underlying blushing in social phobia is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurobiological response to induced flushing in patients with generalized social phobia.
Main Methods:
- Administered nicotinic acid (100 mg), a vasodilator, to six male patients with generalized social phobia and six healthy male controls.
- Measured flushing, anxiety, autonomic activity, and temperature post-administration.
Main Results:
- Patients with social phobia exhibited significantly increased flushing compared to controls.
- Patients also reported higher levels of anxiety and showed greater increases in autonomic activity and temperature.
Conclusions:
- Nicotinic acid administration may provoke exaggerated physiological and psychological responses in individuals with social phobia.
- Further controlled research is needed to validate these preliminary findings on the neurobiology of blushing in social phobia.