Serotonin receptor sensitivity and aggression.

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between increased serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) receptor sensitivity and human aggression. A low oral dose of meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP), a postsynaptic 5HT receptor agonist, was administered in a placebo-controlled design to depressed (n = 22) and panic disorder (n = 20) patients classified with or without signs of outwardly directed aggression, patients with a history of suicide attempts (inwardly directed aggression) (n = 11), and normal controls (n = 19). Hormones under 5HT control were measured at 30-min intervals. Results were as follows: (1) MCPP did not induce or reduce anger, (2) patients with outwardly directed aggression did not have significantly greater MCPP-induced cortisol or prolactin release than did patients without signs of outwardly directed aggression, (3) patients with a history of suicide attempts did not have significantly greater MCPP-induced cortisol or prolactin release than did normal controls, and (4) MCPP-induced hormone release was unrelated to measures of aggression.

• Authors: S Wetzler, R S Kahn, G M Asnis, M Korn, H M van Praag
• Journal: Psychiatry research (Psychiatry Res) Vol. 37 Issue 3 Pg. 271-9 (Jun 1991) ISSN: 0165-1781 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 1891509 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Piperazines
• Receptors, Serotonin
• Serotonin
• 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine

Topics

• Adult
• Aggression (drug effects, physiology)
• Anger (drug effects, physiology)
• Anxiety Disorders (physiopathology, psychology)
• Depressive Disorder (physiopathology, psychology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Panic (drug effects, physiology)
• Personality Disorders (physiopathology, psychology)
• Personality Inventory
• Piperazines (pharmacokinetics)
• Receptors, Serotonin (drug effects, physiology)
• Serotonin (physiology)
• Suicide, Attempted (psychology)