Project Summary

Pradeep J. Nathan, Ph.D. (Independent Investigator 2007) of Monash University, Australia, is studying the neurobiology of Generalized Social Anxiety Disorder (GSAD) and Generalized Social Phobia, which are characterized by excessive fear. He is interested, in particular, in the amygdala as an area of dysfunction and a potential pharmacological target. Recently it has been shown that the hormone oxytocin lessens the impact of fear or threat-provoking stimuli on the amygdala and can lead to reduction in the body's response to stress and fear. The proposed research will examine for the first time if intranasal oxytocin can reduce the abnormal response to threatening facial stimuli in patients with GSAD, and thus may provide important evidence for the role of oxytocin as a treatment approach.

Program Area: ANXIETY DISORDERS\Social Phobia

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