Norepinephrine function in personality disorder: plasma free MHPG correlates inversely with life history of aggression.
OBJECTIVE
Clinical and pre-clinical data suggest the possibility of a facilitory role for norepinephrine (NE) in impulsive-aggressive behavior. While clinical studies have focused on putative central measures of NE activity, few studies have been published using peripheral measures. In this study, the relationship between plasma free NE metabolite, plasma free 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (pMHPG), and impulsive aggression was explored in subjects with personality disorder.


METHODS
Subjects were 30 male subjects with personality disorder in whom basal plasma free MHPG concentrations were obtained. Aggression was assessed using the Life History of Aggression (LHA) assessment and the Buss-Durkee Aggression scales; impulsivity was assessed using the Barratt Impulsiveness and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Impulsivity scales.


RESULTS
A significant inverse correlation was found between LHA-Aggression and pMHPG in these subjects. Correlations with other behavioral measures were not statistically significant. pMHPG was significantly lower among subjects with borderline personality disorder but not significantly lower after controlling for LHA-Aggression scores.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that pMHPG is inversely correlated with life history of aggression in subjects with personality disorder and that central and/or peripheral NE may play a role in modulating aggressive behavior in these subjects.
Coccaro
Emil F
EF
Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. ecoccaro@yoda.bsd.uchicago.edu
Lee
Royce
R
McCloskey
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000378:metabolism*; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D012701:Serotonin; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D009638:Norepinephrine