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Impulsive-aggressive traits, serotonin function, and alcohol-enhanced aggression.
Carl Fulwiler1, Joy Eckstine, Sapna Kalsy
1Department of Psychiatry, New England Medical Center, MS# 1007, 750 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|December 17, 2004
Summary
Impulsivity may explain why some individuals become aggressive when drinking alcohol, while others do not. This study found trait impulsivity, not anger or suspicion, predicted alcohol-induced aggression in males.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Alcohol consumption is frequently linked to aggression, yet not all individuals exhibit violent behavior when drinking.
- Individual differences in response to alcohol, particularly concerning aggression, are not fully understood.
- Serotonin function is a potential neurobiological factor influencing alcohol's effects on behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between personality traits and alcohol-induced aggression.
- To explore the role of serotonin function, assessed via prolactin response, in moderating alcohol's effects on aggression.
- To identify individual difference factors predicting aggressive responses to alcohol in healthy males.
Main Methods:
- Ten healthy male social drinkers participated in the study.
- Personality traits (impulsivity, aggression, anger, suspiciousness) were assessed using psychometric scales.
- Alcohol's effect on aggression was measured using the Point Subtraction Aggression Paradigm (PSAP) after a 1 g/kg alcohol dose.
- Serotonin function was evaluated through citalopram challenge and measuring prolactin response.
Main Results:
- Higher scores on impulsivity significantly correlated with increased aggressive responding after alcohol consumption.
- Aggression, anger, and suspiciousness scores did not show a significant correlation with alcohol's effect on aggression.
- Prolactin response to citalopram challenge did not predict the degree of alcohol-induced aggression.
Conclusions:
- Trait impulsivity appears to be a significant mediator in the relationship between alcohol consumption and aggressive behavior in normal males.
- These findings suggest that personality, specifically impulsivity, plays a crucial role in determining individual responses to alcohol regarding aggression.
- Further research into the neurobiological underpinnings of impulsivity could offer insights into preventing alcohol-related violence.