Reduced amygdalar and hippocampal size in adults with generalized social phobia.
BACKGROUND
Structural and functional brain imaging studies suggest abnormalities of the amygdala and hippocampus in posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder. However, structural brain imaging studies in social phobia are lacking.


METHODS
In total, 24 patients with generalized social phobia (GSP) and 24 healthy controls underwent 3-dimensional structural magnetic resonance imaging of the amygdala and hippocampus and a clinical investigation.


RESULTS
Compared with controls, GSP patients had significantly reduced amygdalar (13%) and hippocampal (8%) size. The reduction in the size of the amygdala was statistically significant for men but not women. Smaller right-sided hippocampal volumes of GSP patients were significantly related to stronger disorder severity.


CONCLUSIONS
Our sample included only patients with the generalized subtype of social phobia. Because we excluded patients with comorbid depression, our sample may not be representative.


CONCLUSIONS
We report for the first time volumetric results in patients with GSP. Future assessment of these patients will clarify whether these changes are reversed after successful treatment and whether they predict treatment response.
Irle
Eva
E
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany. eirle@gwdg.de
Ruhleder
Mirjana
M
Lange
Claudia
C
Seidler-Brandler
Ulrich
U
Salzer
Simone
S
Dechent
Peter
P
Weniger
Godehard
G
Leibing
Eric
E
Leichsenring
Falk
F
D000328:Adult; D000679:Amygdala / Q000473:pathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult