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Related Experiment Videos

Plasma tryptophan and trait aggression.

J Wingrove1, A J Bond, A J Cleare

  • 1Section of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London, UK. J.Wingrove@iop.kcl.ac.uk

Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
|October 8, 1999
PubMed
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Higher plasma tryptophan concentrations in men are linked to increased aggression. This study in healthy volunteers suggests a connection between tryptophan and aggressive behavior, not explained by anxiety or depression.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Previous research links aggression and serotonergic function, often in clinical populations.
  • Few studies explored plasma tryptophan levels in relation to aggression in healthy individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between plasma tryptophan concentrations and trait hostility, depression, and anxiety in healthy males.
  • To explore the role of serotonin precursor levels in aggressive behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Collected blood samples from 67 healthy male volunteers.
  • Administered questionnaires to assess trait hostility, depression, and anxiety.
  • Measured plasma tryptophan concentrations.

Main Results:

Related Experiment Videos

  • A positive correlation was found between plasma tryptophan levels and the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory Total score and Motor Aggression subscale.
  • No significant correlation was observed between plasma tryptophan and Attitudinal Hostility subscale, trait anxiety, or depression.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated plasma tryptophan concentrations are associated with increased aggressive behavior in men.
  • This association may involve central serotonergic function.
  • The link between tryptophan and aggression in this study is not attributable to high trait anxiety or depression.