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Does central serotonergic function correlate inversely with aggression? A study using D-fenfluramine in healthy
1Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK. a.cleare@iop.bpmf.ac.uk
Psychiatry Research
|March 24, 1997
Summary
This study found that in healthy males, lower serotonin function correlated with higher aggression and hostility. This suggests a link between serotonin and aggression, even in individuals without personality disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Previous research linked serotonergic function to aggression in clinical populations.
- Limited studies explored this relationship in healthy individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between central serotonin function and aggression/hostility in healthy subjects.
- To examine hormonal responses (prolactin, cortisol) as indicators of serotonin activity.
Main Methods:
- Administered D-fenfluramine (a serotonin releasing agent) to 35 healthy participants.
- Assessed hostility and aggression using validated questionnaires.
- Measured prolactin and cortisol levels as biomarkers of central serotonin function.
Main Results:
- In healthy males, serotonin-mediated cortisol responses showed an inverse correlation with hostility and aggression scores.
- No significant correlations were observed in female subjects or when using prolactin responses.
- Basal cortisol levels correlated with hormonal responses but not with aggression measures.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest an inverse relationship between central serotonin function and aggression/hostility in healthy males.
- Results align with previous studies in violent or aggressive populations.
- Highlights the potential role of serotonin in modulating aggression in the general population.