A rapid clinical response to etifoxine in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: a case report of a patient with comorbid bipolar disorder
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Issued Date
2026-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
20451253
eISSN
20451261
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105032994456
Journal Title
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology
Volume
16
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SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology Vol.16 (2026)
Suggested Citation
Pariwatcharakul P., Prachgosin P. A rapid clinical response to etifoxine in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: a case report of a patient with comorbid bipolar disorder. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology Vol.16 (2026). doi:10.1177/20451253261429968 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/115841
Title
A rapid clinical response to etifoxine in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: a case report of a patient with comorbid bipolar disorder
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Abstract
This case report describes the rapid clinical response to etifoxine, an oral translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) ligand, in a patient with severe, treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with comorbid bipolar I disorder. Despite extensive prior pharmacological treatments and neurosurgical interventions, the patient experienced significant symptom amelioration within days of etifoxine initiation (the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) score decreased from 50 to 29). We discussed the potential mechanisms underlying this rapid response, including direct γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor modulation, increased endogenous neurosteroidogenesis, reduced neuroinflammation, and modulation of the gut-brain axis. This case highlights etifoxine as a novel therapeutic option for treatment-resistant OCD and underscores the need for further research into TSPO ligands in this context.