Serotonin augmentation reduces response to attack in aggressive individuals.
We tested the theory that central serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) activity regulates aggression by modulating response to provocation. Eighty men and women (40 with and 40 without a history of aggression) were randomly assigned to receive either 40 mg of paroxetine (to acutely augment serotonergic activity) or a placebo, administered using double-blind procedures. Aggression was assessed during a competitive reaction time game with a fictitious opponent. Shocks were selected by the participant and opponent before each trial, with the loser on each trial receiving the shock set by the other player. Provocation was manipulated by having the opponent select increasingly intense shocks for the participant and eventually an ostensibly severe shock toward the end of the trials. Aggression was measured by the number of severe shocks set by the participant for the opponent. As predicted, aggressive responding after provocation was attenuated by augmentation of serotonin in individuals with a pronounced history of aggression.
Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA. mitchell.berman@usm.edu
Mitchell E
ME
Berman
Michael S
MS
McCloskey
Jennifer R
JR
Fanning
Julie A
JA
Schumacher
Emil F
EF
Coccaro
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004597:Electroshock; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055815:Young Adult
D017374:Paroxetine; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors