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Serotonin function in human subjects: intercorrelations among central 5-HT indices and aggressiveness
E F Coccaro1, R J Kavoussi, R L Trestman
1Department of Psychiatry, MCP Hahnemann School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
Psychiatry Research
|February 17, 1998
Summary
Serotonin (5-HT) system activity, measured by prolactin responses to drug challenges, correlates with assaultiveness in personality-disordered individuals. Basal 5-HT levels did not show this association.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Serotonin (5-HT) plays a crucial role in regulating mood and behavior.
- Dysregulation of the 5-HT system is implicated in various psychiatric disorders, including personality disorders.
- Understanding central 5-HT activity is vital for developing targeted treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the intercorrelations among different indices of central serotonin system activity.
- To examine the relationship between these 5-HT indices and assaultiveness in personality-disordered individuals.
- To determine if post-synaptic 5-HT measures are better predictors of assaultiveness than pre-synaptic measures.
Main Methods:
- Assessed three central serotonin (5-HT) system activity indices: CSF 5-HIAA, prolactin response to m-CPP (PRL[m-CPP]), and prolactin response to fenfluramine (PRL[FEN]).
- Measured assaultiveness using the Buss-Durkee 'Assault' inventory in individuals with personality disorders.
- Analyzed correlations between 5-HT indices and assaultiveness scores.
Main Results:
- Prolactin responses to fenfluramine (PRL[FEN]) were inversely related to CSF 5-HIAA concentration and positively correlated with PRL[m-CPP].
- Both PRL[FEN] and PRL[m-CPP] showed significant inverse correlations with Buss-Durkee 'Assault' scores.
- Basal CSF 5-HIAA concentration did not correlate with Buss-Durkee 'Assault' scores.
Conclusions:
- Post-synaptic serotonin receptor activation, as indicated by prolactin responses to m-CPP and fenfluramine, is inversely correlated with assaultiveness in personality-disordered individuals.
- Basal pre-synaptic serotonin function (CSF 5-HIAA) does not appear to be directly related to assaultive tendencies in this population.
- These findings suggest that measures of central 5-HT postsynaptic activity may be more relevant than basal measures for understanding aggressive behavior in certain psychiatric conditions.