Self-rated aggression and cerebral monoaminergic turnover. Sex differences in patients with persistent depressive disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Outward-directed violence and impulsivity in humans and primates has frequently been related to abnormal brain monoaminergic turnover. Self-rated aggression is likely to be clinically relevant,and its psychobiological basis needs investigation.


METHODS
Sixty-six patients (40 women and 26 men) with persistent depressive disorder (PDD) were compared with 497 control subjects from the general Swedish population.


METHODS
We administered the Aggression Questionnaire - Revised Swedish Version (AQ-RSV) to patients and control subjects. In patients, CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 3-methoxy-5-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in CSF were analyzed. Total Aggression score and Aggression subfactors 'Physical Aggression','Verbal Aggression','Anger', and 'Hostility'were correlated with CSF concentrations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA),and 3-methoxy-5-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG).


RESULTS
Overall, Hostility was positively related to CSF MHPG (t=2.27, p=0.015). Split by sex,Hostility was related with 5-HIAA in males (r=0.62,p=0.003),and with MHPG in females (r=0.38, p=0.03). Comparing self rated aggression with age- and sex-matched data from the general Swedish population, the most prominent deviation was increased Hostility score among PDD patients. Among patients, all aggression factors were nominally higher in women than in men, with the most pronounced sex difference in Hostility (t=-1.89, p=0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest a clinically meaningful sex difference in a positive relationship between hostility and serotonergic/noradrenergic turnover in PDD patients.
Prochazka
Helena
H
Göteborg University Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Mölndal, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden. prochazkahelena@hotmail.com
Agren
Hans
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012649:Self Concept; D012727:Sex Characteristics
D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid