[The neurobiological bases of aggression: the pharmacotherapeutic implications]

The aim of this paper is to attempt a classification of aggressive behavior based on neurobiological mechanisms and to shed some light on the pharmacological treatment of this condition. Drugs that enhance serotonin transmission are indicated in conditions related to decreased serotonergic transmission. Dopamine blockers are useful in the acute control of aggression and the violence displayed by schizophrenic patients. Clozapine probably has an anti-aggressive effect independent of its antipsychotic action. Noradrenergic agents have been shown effective in chronic aggression of organic brain syndromes. Gabaergic drugs are effective in acute aggression and in organic brain syndromes.