A preliminary study of baclofen-induced growth hormone release in generalised social phobia.
OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to examine central GABA(B) receptor responses in patients with generalised social phobia using the growth hormone (GH) response to baclofen.


METHODS
Baclofen 20 mg was administered to 15 patients and 15 healthy matched controls and plasma growth hormone was monitored over a 3 h period.


RESULTS
The GH response in patients was significantly reduced in comparison to that of controls when calculated as both area under the curve (AUC) and delta (Delta) response.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest an abnormality of central GABA(B) receptor function in this disorder.
Condren
Rita M
RM
Neuroscience Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Richmond Road, Fairview, Dublin 3, Ireland.
Lucey
Jim V
JV
Thakore
Jogin H
JH
D000328:Adult; D001418:Baclofen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists; D019382:Human Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
D018755:GABA Agonists; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists; D019382:Human Growth Hormone; D001418:Baclofen