Acute Anxiolytic Effects of Riluzole on Subjects With Social Anxiety Disorder

The investigators propose conducting a double-blind, placebo controlled crossover study
examining the effects of BHV-0223 on public speaking anxiety. Twenty participants with DSM-5
defined social anxiety disorder and clinically significant public speaking anxiety on the
Impromptu Speech Task will be enrolled in a challenge study. Participants will be given
BHV-0223 (or placebo) under double-blind crossover conditions 1 hour prior to performing
each of 2 impromptu speech tasks. The two study days involving BHV-0223 (or placebo)
administration and impromptu speech task will be separated by 2 to 10 days to allow for
medication washout. There will be a final follow-up visit 2 to 10 days later to perform a
complete Physical exam and do follow-up liver function testing and a Complete Blood Count.
Our primary outcome will examine BHV-0223's effects (compared to placebo) on self-rated
anxiety during the impromptu speech task. The investigators will also collect physiological
measures of anxiety, clinician-rated measures of anxiety, and measures of speech performance
as secondary outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female (post-menopausal, surgically sterile, or negative pregnancy test at
screening and agreement to utilize an established birth control, including complete
abstinence, during the testing period) between the age of 18 and 65 yrs.

2. Meet DSM-5 criteria for social anxiety disorder by structured clinical interview
(SCID) and have a LSAS public speaking subscale score >6.

3. Stable psychiatric medications. Participants must have had stable doses of all
psychiatric medications for the month prior to treatment and have been on stable
doses of SSRI and antidepressants for at least 1 month prior to study enrollment. As
needed benzodiazepine use will be permitted as long as subjects refrain from using
benzodiazepines for the 48 hours prior to the study.

4. Medically and neurologically healthy on the basis of physical examination, SMAC-20
(including LFT's, TFT's), VDRL, CBC w/ diff, urinalysis, urine toxicology, EKG, and
medical history. Individuals with stable medical problems that do not have CNS
effects or interfere with medications administered (e.g., oral hypoglycemics) may be
included if their medications have not been adjusted in the month prior to entry;

5. Urine toxicology screen negative for drug of abuse.

6. Able to provide written informed consent according to the Yale Human Investigation
Committee (HIC) guidelines.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Positive pregnancy test

2. Breastfeeding females

3. History of substance abuse disorder (ETOH, cocaine, opiates, PCP) within the last 6
months or positive urine toxicology on screening (within the previous 6 months).

4. History of pervasive developmental disorder or psychotic disorder by DSM-IV-TR
criteria.

5. Presence of dentures, braces, piercings at the time of dosing, or any physical
findings in the mouth or tongue that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator,
would be likely to interfere with successful completion of the dosing procedure.

6. Participants with a medical condition that might interfere with the physiological
absorption and motility (ie, gastric bypass, duodenectomy) or gastric bands.

7. Participants with any clinically significant abnormality or abnormal laboratory test
results.

8. Participant has a current diagnosis of viral hepatitis (HBsAG or HVC) or a history of
liver disease.

9. Participant has significant history of seizure disorder other than a single childhood
febrile seizure (eg. Epilepsy)

10. Participant using any drugs known to induce or inhibit CYP 1A2 metabolism (examples
of inducers: rifampin, carbamazepine, etc.; examples of inhibitors: fluvoxamine,
ciprofloxacin, fluoroquinolones, etc.) within 30 days prior to the first study drug
administration.

11. Participants with a history of allergic reactions to riluzole or other related drugs.

12. Participant has a history of anaphylaxis, a documented hypersensitivity reaction, or
a clinically important reaction to any drug.

13. Participant has received another investigational drug or device within the 30 days
(90 days for biologics) prior to the first dosing or is currently participating in an
investigational study involving no drug administration.

14. Participant with clinically significant electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities (QTcF
>450 msec) or vital sign abnormalities (systolic blood pressure lower than 90 or over
140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure lower than 50 or over 90 mmHg, or heart rate less
than 50 or over 100 bpm) at Screening or Baseline (Day -1).

15. Any reason which, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, would prevent the
participant from being in the study.