Effects of chronic paroxetine administration on measures of aggressive and impulsive responses of adult males with a history of conduct disorder.
BACKGROUND
The role of serotonin in human aggression and impulsivity was evaluated by administering paroxetine or placebo for 3 weeks and comparing the effects on laboratory measures of aggression and impulsivity among male subjects with a history of conduct disorder.


METHODS
Twelve male subjects with a history of criminal behavior participated in experimental sessions, which measured aggressive and impulsive responses. Six subjects were assigned to placebo treatment and six subjects to placebo and paroxetine treatment. Aggression was measured using the point subtraction aggression paradigm (PSAP), which provides subjects with an aggressive and monetary reinforced response options. Impulsive responses were measured using a paradigm that gives subjects choices between small rewards after short delays versus larger rewards after longer delays.


RESULTS
Chronic administration of paroxetine (20 mg/day) for 21 days produced significant decreases in impulsive responses. Decreases in aggressive responses were evident only at the end of paroxetine treatment. Decreases in impulsive and aggressive responses could not be attributed to a non-specific sedative action because monetary reinforced responses were not decreased as has been observed following CNS sedation.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibition of serotonin reuptake by paroxetine is the possible mechanism for reductions in aggressive and impulsive responses. These results support other data linking serotonin function and aggression and impulsivity.
Cherek
Don R
DR
Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, 1300 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030-3497, USA. don.r.cherek@uth.tmc.edu
Lane
Scott D
SD
Pietras
Cynthia J
CJ
Steinberg
Joel L
JL
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000523:psychology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors