Serotonin in Early Onset, Male Alcoholics with Violent Behaviour

Abstract

Several lines of evidence suggest that abnormal brain serotonin metabolism may occur in early onset, type 2 alcoholism in men. Low cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid concentration has been found to be associated with a history of paternal alcoholism, and abnormal oral glucose tolerance tests (tendency to low blood glucose nadir) in subjects who are prone to exhibit impulsive, aggressive behaviour under the influence of alcohol. Moreover, a low ratio of the concentrations of tryptophan and other large neutral amino acids in plasma seems to correlate with early onset alcohol abuse and violent tendencies. More knowledge is required about neurochemical changes in homogenous subgroups of alcoholics such as the putative type 2 so as to understand which of the relationships are causative and to provide treatment strategies for alcoholism and its complications.

Association between low‐activity serotonin transporter genotype and heroin dependence: Behavioral and personality correlates

“…Impulsive aggression was found related to low cerebrospinal fluid of the serotonin metabolite, 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid [Virkkunen and Linnoila, 1990], and suicidal behavior associated with reduced 5-HT receptors sensitivity in response to agonists stimulation [Coccaro et al, 1989]. The responses to serotonin reuptake inhibitors appear to be impaired also in substance use disorders with comorbid depression [Gerra et al, 1995[Gerra et al, , 2000, and low central serotonin turnover rate seems to underlie antisocial personality disorder [ASPD, Virkkunen and Linnoila, 1997], possibly reflecting genetic polymorphisms involved in the control of serotonergic activity.…”

Biological Components of Substance Abuse and Addiction

“…Since problematic use of alcohol (as well as other drugs) has long been associated with a wide range of violent behavior, scientists have examined the relationship between alcoholism and serotonergic abnormalities. While a consistent relationship between alcoholism and low CNS levels of serotonin and its metabolizes is lacking, mounting evidence supports the presence of such abnormalities in a subgroup of alcoholics with early-onset problems and a history of violence (16,67,68,107,130).…”

“…Serotonin-Results over the last two decades from both human and animal studies have supported a relationship between low levels of central nervous system (CNS) (i.e., brain and spinal cord) serotonin and impulsive and violent behavior (130,131). Since problematic use of alcohol (as well as other drugs) has long been associated with a wide range of violent behavior, scientists have examined the relationship between alcoholism and serotonergic abnormalities.…”

A Naturalistic Prospective Study of the Use of Fluoxetine in General Psychiatric Outpatients

“…We recognize that apparent responsiveness to SSRIs does not in itself imply serotonergic dysfunction; however, research has demonstrated deficiencies in serotonergic systems in individuals exhibiting dysfunctional maladaptive control of goal-directed behaviours including impulsive and aggressive individuals (Asberg et al, 1976;Winchel and Stanley, 1991;Hollander et al, 1994), disorders of eating such as bulimia nervosa and subsyndromal binge-eating Brewerton et al, 1992;Wurtman et al, 1993;Wallin and Rissanen, 1994), binge-related alcohol abuse (Virkkunen and Linnoila, 1990;Tollefson, 1991), obsessive compulsive disorder and compulsive addictive behaviours (Hollander et al, 1988;Bastini et al, 1991). Synthesis and metabolism of serotonin vanes with menstrual (Rapkin et al, 1987;Ashby er al., 1988;Halbreich and Tworek, 1993) and seasonal rhythms (Asberg et al, 1984;Sarrias et al, 1989;Malmgren et al, 1989) and so may have a role in the genesis of psychological symptoms which emerge in relation to these cycles such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder and seasonal affective disorder.…”