Corticolimbic brain reactivity to social signals of threat before and after sertraline treatment in generalized social phobia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Generalized social phobia (gSP), also known as generalized social anxiety disorder, is characterized by excessive fear of scrutiny by others and pervasive avoidance of social interactions. Pathophysiologic models of gSP implicate exaggerated reactivity of the amygdala and insula in response to social evaluative threat, making them plausible targets for treatment. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment is known to be an effective treatment, little is known about the mechanism through which these agents exert their anxiolytic effects at a brain level in gSP.

Methods

We acquired functional magnetic resonance imaging data of brain response to social signals of threat (fearful/angry faces) in 21 gSP patients before and after they completed 12

SUBMITTER: Phan KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3557668 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature