Aggression, impulsivity, plasma sex hormones, and biogenic amine turnover in a forensic population of rapists.
The aim of the present study was to assess androgen plasma levels and biogenic amine metabolites in a sex-offender group as well as to investigate the relationship between the biological findings and the impulsive, aggressive, and suicidal profile of the offenders. Fifty-seven males convicted for rape and 25 normal males comprised the study sample. We found that although both testosterone levels and aggression-impulsivity scores were higher in the group of rapists, testosterone levels were not associated with the aggression and impulsivity scores. Nevertheless, aggression-impulsivity scores were clearly associated with luteinizing hormone levels. This association may indicate a hyperactive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, possibly the result of a reduced serotonergic activity.
Giotakos
Orestis
O
Psychiatric Department of the General Army Hospital, Tripolis, and Prison of Tripolis, Greece. giotakos@tri.forthnet.gr
Markianos
Manolis
M
Vaidakis
Nikos
N
Christodoulou
George N
GN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003339:Corpus Luteum Hormones / Q000097:blood; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006115:Greece; D006801:Humans; D007175:Impulsive Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011902:Rape; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D003339:Corpus Luteum Hormones; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D012738:Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin; D013739:Testosterone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone