title: Neurobiological correlates of social anxiety disorder: an update.
abstract: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a condition characterized by pervasiveness and impairment in social functioning, with a prevalence in the general population between 1.9% and 12.1%. The most consistent findings on its neurobiological underpinnings involve a wide range of neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, glutamate, and GABA) and neuropeptides (oxytocin), but no comprehensive hypothesis is yet available. In particular, oxytocin is becoming increasingly established as a "prosocial neuropeptide" and, as such, is a major focus of current research, with a great range of therapeutic applications including SAD treatment. Specifically, the amygdala plays a pivotal role in conditioning and processing of fear, and exaggerated amygdala responses in SAD patients have been observed during various social-emotional stimuli. In addition to the amygdala, other brain areas of interest in SAD-related circuitry are represented by the medial prefrontal cortex, dorsal raphe, striatum, locus coeruleus, prefrontal cortex, insular cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex. The aim of this review is to provide an update on neurobiological correlates of SAD, with a special focus on neurotransmitters and brain areas possibly involved, and suggestions for future research that could lead to more specific therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale,Section of Psychiatry,University of Pisa,Pisa,Italy.
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marazziti
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale,Section of Psychiatry,University of Pisa,Pisa,Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abelli
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale,Section of Psychiatry,University of Pisa,Pisa,Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baroni
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale,Section of Psychiatry,University of Pisa,Pisa,Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carpita
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale,Section of Psychiatry,University of Pisa,Pisa,Italy.
authors.forename: Carla E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Ramacciotti
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale,Section of Psychiatry,University of Pisa,Pisa,Italy.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dell'Osso
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000503:physiopathology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents
keywords: social anxiety disorder