title: Valproic acid for the treatment of social anxiety disorder.
abstract: The aim of the study was to examine the efficacy of valproic acid in participants with social anxiety disorder. Following a 2-week single-blind, placebo run-in period, 17 participants were enrolled in a 12-week open flexible-dose trial of valproic acid (500-2500 mg). The primary outcome measures were the mean change from baseline in the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) total score and responder status [defined as a Clinical Global Impression of Improvement score (CGI-I) < or =2]. Social anxiety symptoms as measured by the LSAS and CGI-I scores significantly improved with treatment. The mean reduction in the LSAS was 21.3 points in the last visit carried forward analysis and 19.1 points for the completer analysis, with 41.1% and 46.6% participants, respectively, achieving responder status. The results from this open-label trial suggest the potential efficacy of valproic acid for the treatment of social anxiety disorder. Placebo-controlled trials are indicated to confirm these findings.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA. gkinrys@partners.org
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kinrys
authors.forename: Mark H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Pollack
authors.forename: Naomi M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: John J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Worthington
authors.forename: Antonio E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Nardi
authors.forename: Marcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Versiani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010919:Placebos / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D010919:Placebos; D014635:Valproic Acid