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Possible relationship between amino acids, aggression and psychopathy
Murat Gulsun1, Taner Oznur1, Emre Aydemir1
1a Department of Psychiatry , Gulhane Military Medical Academy , Ankara , Turkey ;
International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice
|March 17, 2016
Summary
Violent offenders show altered levels of essential amino acids, impacting aggression and psychopathy. This research highlights the link between biochemical factors and antisocial behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Forensic Psychology
Background:
- Reduced serotonin metabolism is linked to aggression.
- Limited understanding of serotonin precursor levels in violent offenders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between psychopathy, anger, and basic amino acid levels.
- To explore potential biochemical markers for aggression in individuals with antisocial personality disorder.
Main Methods:
- Serum amino acid levels measured via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
- Participants included 52 young adult males with antisocial personality disorder (APD) and 30 healthy controls.
- Aggression and psychopathy assessed using standardized questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Patients with APD exhibited higher levels of phosphoserine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, aminoadipic acid, and 1-methylhistidine.
- Lower levels of tryptophan (TRP), asparagine, citrulline, cystine, isoleucine, tyrosine, histidine, hydroxylysine, lysine, ethanolamine, and arginine were observed in the APD group.
- Positive correlations found between anger scores and histidine, methionine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
- GABA and methionine correlated significantly with indirect aggression.
Conclusions:
- Serum amino acid profiles are associated with aggression and psychopathy scores.
- This study suggests a promising avenue for research into biochemical factors influencing aggression and psychopathy.
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