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Serotonin and externalizing behavior in young children
R A Clarke1, D L Murphy, J N Constantino
1Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Insights
Low serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in newborns is linked to increased aggressive behavior by 30 months. This suggests serotonin
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Genetics
Background:
- Pathologic aggressive behavior is linked to low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in primates and humans.
- Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter implicated in mood and behavior regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between newborn CSF 5-HIAA levels and aggressive behavior at 30 months of age.
- To explore the role of serotonin in early development of antisocial tendencies.
Main Methods:
- CSF samples from febrile infants (0-3 months) were analyzed for 5-HIAA concentrations.
- Child behavior and family environment were assessed at 30 months via parent reports.
Main Results:
- Infants with below-median 5-HIAA levels exhibited significantly higher externalizing behavior scores at 30 months (P = 0.02).
- Lower newborn 5-HIAA is associated with increased aggressive tendencies later in childhood.
Conclusions:
- Serotonin may contribute to genetic liability for antisocial outcomes, but its influence might be less than previously suggested.
- Early life serotonin levels could be a biomarker for later behavioral issues.
Abstract:
Considerable evidence suggests that there is a relationship between pathologic aggressive behavior and low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in both humans and non-human primates. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the relationship between CSF concentrations of human newborn 5-HIAA and subsequent aggressive behavior observed at 30 months of age. Leftover portions of culture negative CSF drawn from febrile infants (age, birth to 3 months) were assayed for 5-HIAA. Family environment and child behavior were assessed at 30 months by parent report. Subjects with 5-HIAA levels below the median of the distribution had higher externalizing behavior scores at 30 months than did subjects whose 5-HIAA levels fell above the median (P = 0.02). While it is likely that serotonin mediates one component of genetic liability to antisocial outcome, the magnitude of that component may be less than what has been inferred from previously published reports.