title: Physiological correlates of aggression and impulsivity in free-ranging female primates.
abstract: We examined the relations among cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) monoamine metabolite concentrations, plasma hormone concentrations, aggression, and impulsive risk-taking behavior in a free-ranging population of female rhesus macaques. We selected 44 juvenile female rhesus macaques as subjects from a population of approximately 3000 macaques that inhabit a 475-acre Sea Island. We obtained CSF and blood samples, and recorded behavioral observations over a subsequent 18-month period. Our results indicate an inverse correlation between CSF concentrations of the major serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and the frequency of low-intensity restrained aggression typically associated with matrilineal defense of social status. In contrast, previous research with males has shown an inverse correlation between CSF 5-HIAA concentrations and levels of violent unstrained aggression typically associated with traumatic injury and death. We also noted a negative correlation between plasma concentrations of the stress hormone cortisol and the frequency of low-intensity aggressive acts, a finding not reported in our previous studies with males. Further examination revealed a negative correlation between CSF 5-HIAA concentrations and the rate of long dangerous leaps through the forest canopy, suggesting that the relation between low serotonergic functioning and impulsivity may generalize to both female and male primates. These results indicate that females with low CSF 5-HIAA concentrations, like their male counterparts, are at increased risk for impulsive temperament, but that unlike males, females may be buffered from this risk through intersexual differences in life history patterns and social affiliation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Research and Development, LABS of Virginia, Inc., Yemassee, SC 29945, USA. gwprimate@netscape.net
authors.forename: Gregory C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Westergaard
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Suomi
authors.forename: Tara J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chavanne
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Houser
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hurley
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cleveland
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Snoy
authors.forename: J Dee
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Higley
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D008253:Macaca mulatta / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior
chemical_list: D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid