Ipsapirone challenge in aggressive men shows an inverse correlation between 5-HT1A receptor function and aggression.
Previous studies have suggested that 5-HT(1A) receptor function is linked to aggression. We studied 12 healthy men selected to have high trait levels of aggression. They filled in various self-rating measures of aggression, and underwent a double blind, crossover challenge with ipsapirone (20 mg orally) and a placebo. On both occasions, we measured the endocrine (ACTH, cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin), hypothermic and bodily symptom responses every 30 min for 180 min. We found that subjects with blunted neuroendocrine responses to the ipsapirone challenge had significantly higher self-ratings of aggression on a number of measures. The same relationship held using the bodily symptom response to ipsapirone: blunted responses were associated with higher ratings of aggression. We conclude that impaired 5-HT(1A) receptor function is associated with increased aggressiveness.
Cleare
A J
AJ
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry and Guy's King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, London, UK. a.cleare@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Bond
A J
AJ
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004702:Endocrine Glands / Q000187:drug effects; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000187:drug effects*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects*; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology*
D011743:Pyrimidines; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D044263:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT1; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; C043077:ipsapirone