Naslov
Brain Serotonin Synthesis in Adult Males Characterized by Physical Aggression during Childhood : A 21-Year Longitudinal Study

Autori
Booij, Linda ; Tremblay, Richard E. ; Leyton, Marco ; Seguin, Jean R. ; Vitaro, Frank ; Gravel, Paul ; Perreau-Linck, Elisabeth ; Levesque, Melissa L. ; Durand, France ; Dikšić, Mirko ; Turecki, Gustavo ; Benkelfat, Chawki

Izvornik
PLoS ONE (1932-6203) 5 (2010); E11255-e11255

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
positron-emission-tomography; methyl-l-tryptophan; temporal-lobe lesions; personality-disorder; synthesis capacity; developmental trajectories; antisocial-behavior; healthy-volunteers; synthesis rates; frontal-lobe

Sažetak
Adults exhibiting severe impulsive and aggressive behaviors have multiple indices of low serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission. It remains unclear though whether low 5-HT mediates the behavior or instead reflects a pre-existing vulnerability trait. In the present study, positron emission tomography with the tracer alpha-[(11)C]methyl-L-tryptophan ((11)C-AMT) was used to compare 5-HT synthesis capacity in two groups of adult males from a 21-year longitudinal study (mean age +/- SD: 27.1+/-0.7): individuals with a history of childhood-limited high physical aggression (C-LHPA ; N = 8) and individuals with normal (low) patterns of physical aggression (LPA ; N = 18). The C-LHPA males had significantly lower trapping of (11)C-AMT bilaterally in the orbitofrontal cortex and self-reported more impulsiveness. Despite this, in adulthood there were no group differences in plasma tryptophan levels, genotyping, aggression, emotional intelligence, working memory, computerized measures of impulsivity, psychosocial functioning/adjustment, and personal and family history of mood and substance abuse disorders. These results force a re-examination of the low 5-HT hypothesis as central in the biology of violence. They suggest that low 5-HT does not mediate current behavior and should be considered a vulnerability factor for impulsive-aggressive behavior that may or may not be expressed depending on other biological factors, experience, and environmental support during development.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Temeljne medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA