title: Elevated childhood serotonergic function protects against adolescent aggression in disruptive boys.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This longitudinal study examined whether responsiveness of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) in childhood predicts adolescent aggression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Boys (N = 33) with disruptive behavior disorders who received assessments of central 5-HT function via the prolactin response to fenfluramine between 1990 and 1994 when they were 7 to 11 years old were re-evaluated clinically on average 6.7 years later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After accounting for baseline aggression, early 5-HT function accounted for a significant proportion of variance in adolescent aggression. This prospective relationship of childhood 5-HT function with adolescent aggression (r = -0.71) and antisocial behavior (r = -0.59) was found primarily in adolescents who were aggressive during childhood. Irrespective of childhood aggression, no child with high 5-HT function was particularly aggressive at follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low childhood 5-HT function appears important, but not sufficient, for the emergence of adolescent aggression. However, early high 5-HT function may protect against adolescent violence and aggression.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11367, USA. jeffrey.halperin@qc.cuny.edu
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Halperin
authors.forename: Jessica H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kalmar
authors.forename: Kurt P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: Vanshdeep
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Jeffrey H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Newcorn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D009642:Norfenfluramine / Q000097:blood; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D018490:Serotonin Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D018490:Serotonin Agents; D009642:Norfenfluramine; D005277:Fenfluramine; D012701:Serotonin; D011388:Prolactin