Psychopharmacological treatment of social phobia: clinical and biochemical effects of brofaromine, a selective MAO-A inhibitor.
There is circumstantial evidence that antidepressants, particularly monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and beta-blockers, may have some beneficial effects in social phobia. In this study 30 patients with social phobia (DSM-IIIR) were treated with the selective and reversible MAO-A inhibitor brofaromine, using a 12-week double-blind placebo controlled design. A clinical relevant improvement was seen in 80% of the patients treated with brofaromine (150 mg daily). A significant improvement was found on measures of social anxiety, phobic avoidance, general (or anticipatory) anxiety and interpersonal sensitivity in patients on brofaromine, but not on placebo. Biochemical measurements revealed a decrease in turnover of noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine as assessed by the plasma metabolite levels, and an increase in nocturnal release of melatonin. Most prominent side-effect was middle sleep disturbance. No changes in blood pressure were observed. During a follow-up period of 12 weeks a further improvement was found in patients treated with brofaromine.
van Vliet
I M
IM
Department of Biological Psychiatry, Academic Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
den Boer
J A
JA
Westenberg
H G
HG
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000097:blood; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010880:Piperidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D010880:Piperidines; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; C038213:brofaromine; D008550:Melatonin; D006854:Hydrocortisone