THE GROWTH-HORMONE RESPONSE TO BACLOFEN IN OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER - DOES THE GABA-B RECEPTOR MEDIATE OBSESSIVE ANXIETY

The growth hormone (GH) response to the gamma amino butyric acid type B (GABA-B) receptor agonist baclofen was measured in 10 Caucasian out-patients with DSM-III-R obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and 10 healthy comparison subjects. The patients also underwent a dexamethasone suppression test. The GH response was similar in both groups and there was a low rate of dexamethasone non-suppression in the patients. The data do not suggest that GABA-B receptor dysfunction is a feature of obsessive anxiety.