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Low HDL cholesterol, aggression and altered central serotonergic activity
L Buydens-Branchey1, M Branchey, J Hudson
1Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY, USA. lbuydens@worldnet.att.net
Psychiatry Research
|March 22, 2000
Summary
Low HDL cholesterol is linked to aggression and altered serotonin (5-HT) activity in cocaine addicts. This suggests low cholesterol may increase impulsive and violent behaviors by affecting 5-HT function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Low cholesterol levels are associated with poor impulse, aggression, and mood control.
- A causal link exists between low brain serotonin (5-HT) activity and these behaviors.
- Mechanisms linking cholesterol and hostile/self-destructive behavior are unknown, but low cholesterol may influence 5-HT function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between plasma cholesterol, impulsivity, aggression, and 5-HT function.
- To investigate these links in personality-disordered cocaine addicts.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-eight hospitalized male cocaine addicts were assessed using DSM-III-R, BDHI, BIS, and Brown-Goodwin scales.
- Fasting basal cholesterol (total, LDL, HDL) was measured.
- 5-HT function was assessed via neuroendocrine (cortisol, prolactin) and psychological responses to meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP) challenges.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower HDL cholesterol levels were found in patients with a history of aggression.
- Lower HDL cholesterol correlated with more intense 'high' and 'activation-euphoria' responses to m-CPP.
- Lower HDL cholesterol was associated with blunted cortisol responses to m-CPP.
Conclusions:
- This study supports evidence linking low cholesterol to increased impulsive and violent behaviors.
- Findings suggest a potential causal relationship between low cholesterol and alterations in 5-HT activity.