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Creatine kinase elevations and aggressive behavior in hospitalized forensic patients
M Hillbrand1, R T Spitz, H G Foster
1Connecticut Valley Hospital, Whiting Forensic Division, Middletown 06457, USA. hillbrandm@ccsu.ctstateu.edu
The Psychiatric Quarterly
|April 16, 1998
Summary
Higher creatine kinase (CK) levels may predict aggressive behavior in males, particularly those on antipsychotic medication. This biological marker shows promise for identifying potential violence risk.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Aggressive behavior is a complex phenomenon with various contributing factors.
- Identifying reliable biological markers for aggression can aid in risk assessment and management.
- Creatine kinase (CK) is an enzyme found in muscle and brain tissue, with potential links to neurological and behavioral states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between creatine kinase (CK) levels and aggressive behavior in a male forensic hospital population.
- To determine if CK levels can serve as a predictor of violent behavior, independent of other factors.
Main Methods:
- The study included 195 males admitted to a forensic hospital.
- Creatine kinase (CK) levels were measured and correlated with measures of aggressive behavior.
- Statistical analyses controlled for potential confounders such as age, ethnicity, clinical diagnosis, prior assaultiveness, and antipsychotic medication use.
Main Results:
- Patients with higher CK levels exhibited more violent behavior, but only among those receiving antipsychotic medication.
- CK levels were not significantly influenced by age, ethnicity, or clinical diagnosis.
- Prior assaultiveness and restraint use influenced CK levels, but CK remained a strong predictor of subsequent violence even after controlling for these factors.
Conclusions:
- Creatine kinase (CK) shows potential as a readily available biological predictor of violent behavior in specific patient populations.
- Further prospective studies are necessary to validate the biobehavioral association between CK and aggression.
- CK may offer a practical alternative to other, less accessible biological markers of aggression.