Imbalance Between Nitric Oxide and Dopamine May Underly Aggression in Acute Neurological Patients

Abstract

The neurochemical basis of aggressive behavior in humans is not fully understood. In this study we explored the relationship between aggressiveness (as measured by the Overt Aggression Scale), cognitive performance (as measured by the Mini Mental State Examination), and biochemical markers of dopamine neurotransmission (homovanillic acid, HVA) and nitric oxide synthesis (nitrite plus nitrate, NO(x)) in cerebrospinal fluid from 70 patients with acute brain disorders, mainly brain infections. Aggressive behavior and cognitive performance showed an inverse correlation. NO(x)/HVA ratio was inversely correlated to aggressive behavior, and positively correlated to cognitive performance. A subanalysis with antipsychotic-naïve patients confirmed those results. The balance between nitric oxide and dopamine could be related to the cognitive control of aggressive impulse.

Adding up the odds—Nitric oxide signaling underlies the decision to flee and post-conflict depression of aggression

“…NO is unlikely, however, to act on its own aggression. NOS colocalizes with numerous other neurotransmitters in insects ( 33 ), including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) ( 34 ), which mediates the acquisition of avoidance after social defeat in mice ( 35 ), whereas NO influences aggression in mammals by interacting with serotonin ( 36 ) and dopamine ( 37 ), both of which also modulate aggression in crickets ( 38 , 39 ).…”

Biological basis of aggressive behavior

“…Результаты такого рода работ достаточно противоречивы, что объясняется различием в методологических подходах к их проведению [13]. В части случаев не установлено взаимосвязи между АП и концентрацией ГВК [1,16]; другими авторами была обнаружена отрицательная [6, 17] либо положительная [7,18] корреляция между уровнем этого метаболита и проявлениями агрессии. В частности, значительное снижение концентрации ГВК в ЦСЖ определено у преступников, совершивших убийство [17].…”