[Biology of social phobia].

Until recently, social phobia had not been extensively investigated. Social phobia is a relatively common anxiety disorder and a number of studies reporting efficacy in treatment medication have been reported. Biological studies have used neuroendocrine, naturalistic and chemical challenges, pharmacological probes, neurotransmitter system measures, brain imaging techniques. In summary, these studies provide some neurobiological basis for separating social phobia from others anxiety disorders (specifically panic disorder) and non psychiatric healthy controls.