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The relationship between serotonergic function and the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version.

Mairead C Dolan¹, Ian M Anderson

¹Adult Forensic Mental Health Services, Mental Health Services of Salford and Department of Psychiatry, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. mdolan@edenfield.bstmhp.nhs.uk

Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)

|July 23, 2003

Summary

Reduced serotonin (5-HT) function is linked to impulsive behavior in offenders. However, psychopathy

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Psychiatry
Forensic Psychology

Background:

Reduced serotonergic (5-HT) neurotransmission is associated with impulsive and aggressive behaviors.
The relationship between 5-HT function and psychopathy, particularly its interpersonal/affective and behavioral components, remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the association between serotonergic (5-HT) function and the North American construct of psychopathy.
To examine how different facets of psychopathy relate to 5-HT function in offenders.

Main Methods:

Fifty-one offenders with DSM-III-R personality disorders underwent a 5-HT function assessment (prolactin response to d-fenfluramine challenge).
Participants were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL: SV), which was analyzed using a three-factor structure (arrogant/deceitful, callous-unemotional, impulsive-antisocial behavior).

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Main Results:

Serotonergic (5-HT) function did not correlate with psychopathy as a single dimension.
The impulsive-antisocial behavior factor of psychopathy showed a negative correlation with 5-HT function.
The arrogant/deceitful factor of psychopathy demonstrated a positive correlation with 5-HT function.

Conclusions:

Impulsive-antisocial conduct in offenders is inversely related to serotonergic (5-HT) function.
Arrogant and deceitful traits within psychopathy may positively correlate with 5-HT function, potentially representing an adaptive aspect.