Lower omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower docosahexaenoic acid in men with pedophilia.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have suggested that abnormalities in plasma phospholipid fatty acids may play a role in aggressive behavior. Recently, it was suggested that a dysfunctional serotonergic turnover in the brain may be involved in the etiopathology of pedophilia. Depletion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may cause alterations in the serotonergic system that may be related to pedophilia and aggression.


METHODS
This study examines the serum phospholipid n-3 and n-6 PUFA fractions in pedophilia. Twenty-seven pedophilic men and eighteen healthy volunteers participated in this study.


RESULTS
In pedophilia there was a significant depletion of the C22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), total n-3 fractions and an increase in the total n-6/n-3 and C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 (arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid) ratios. Using the NEO Personality Inventory, lower DHA in pedophiles is related to more impulsiveness and lower agreeableness (trust, altruism, straightforwardness, compliance) and conscientiousness (self-discipline).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that a depletion of the serum phospholipid n-3 higher unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) and, in particular, of DHA may take part in the pathophysiology of pedophilia. One hypothesis is that a depletion of n-3 HUFAs and DHA may cause alterations in the serotonergic turnover, which are related to impulse discontrol and aggression-hostility, behaviors which are associated with pedophilia.
Mincke
Elda
E
Department of Psychiatry, Antwerp Forensic Center, University of Antwerp, Edegem, and Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.
Cosyns
Paul
P
Christophe
Armand B
AB
De Vriese
Stephanie
S
Maes
Michael
M
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010378:Pedophilia / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D012701:Serotonin