Serotonergic function in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: relationship to later antisocial personality disorder.
BACKGROUND
Impulsive aggression in adulthood is associated with disturbances in serotonergic function. In contrast, research examining this association in childhood has yielded inconsistent results.


OBJECTIVE
The current study examined the prospective relationship between serotonergic function measured in childhood and the later emergence of antisocial personality disorder.


METHODS
Hormonal response to fenfluramine, an index of serotonergic function, was assessed in 58 children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder between 1990 and 1997 when they were aged 7-11 years. Approximately 9 years later these individuals were evaluated for antisocial personality disorder.


RESULTS
Lower serotonergic responsivity assessed in childhood predicted the development of antisocial personality disorder (t (56)=2.25, P=0.028).


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide a critical link between the child and adult literature on the covariation of impulsive aggression and serotonergic function and suggest a potential explanation for inconsistencies in the childhood literature.
Flory
Janine D
JD
Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, SB-318 Flushing, NY 11367, USA. janine.flory@qc.cuny.edu
Newcorn
Jeffrey H
JH
Miller
Carlin
C
Harty
Seth
S
Halperin
Jeffrey M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000502:physiology*; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005277:Fenfluramine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D005277:Fenfluramine; D011388:Prolactin