title: Low brain serotonin turnover rate (low CSF 5-HIAA) and impulsive violence.
abstract: The findings of a series of studies by the authors support the idea that most impulsive offenders who have a tendency to behave aggressively while intoxicated have a low brain serotonin turnover rate. The impulsive violent offenders with the lowest CSF 5-HIAA concentrations have diurnal activity rhythm disturbances, and are also prone to hypoglycemia after an oral glucose challenge. Low CSF 5-HIAA combined with hyoglycemic tendency also predicts future violence under the influence of alcohol. Sons of alcoholic fathers, who have committed violent crimes, have very low CSF 5-HIAA concentrations. Vagal tone does not correlate significantly with CSF 5-HIAA but correlates with enhanced insulin secretion, which is most prominent in subjects with intermittent explosive disorder. A polymorphism of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) gene is associated with low CSF 5-HIAA and a history of suicide attempts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Virkkunen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linnoila
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012701:Serotonin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D014365:Tryptophan Hydroxylase