Aggression, Impulsivity and Serotonin in Drug Dependence
Abstract
Aggression, impulsivity, and central serotonergic function were evaluated in two groups of human volunteers; one group having a history of substance dependence (DRUG+) and another group with no drug use history (DRUG-). The hypothesis was that DRUG+ subjects would be more aggressive, more impulsive, and have attenuated serotonergic function. Results showed that DRUG+ subjects behaved more aggressively in a computer paradigm of aggression and also reported more aggression on questionnaires than DRUG- subjects. In a computer paradigm of impulsivity, the DRUG+ group showed a lesser ability to delay gratification than the DRUG- group in the last session of testing. The DRUG+ subjects also reported more venturesomeness and problems associated with low impulse control on questionnaires. Serotonergic function was measured through the neuroendocrine and hypothermic response to an orally administered serotonin (5-HT) agonist specific to the 5-HT1A receptor subtype (ipsapirone). The neuroendocrine responses did not differ between DRUG± groups, indicating no difference in the sensitivity of the presynaptic or postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors. An unexpected result was that the indicator hormone, cortisol, was at a lower baseline level in the DRUG+ group than the DRUG- group. Lowered cortisol levels have been previously noted in children at high risk foul antisociality and future drug use. A principal components analysis including impulsivity, aggression, and serotonergic function measures produced three unique factors. The factors, Antisocial Tendency and Self-Control and Serotonergic Function combined to produce a significant regression equation explaining 36% of variability in the DRUG± groups. These factors included measures of aggression, impulsivity, mood, and educational attainment. These results suggest that the current measures of aggression and impulsivity were predictive of a drug dependence disorder but that neuroendocrine function is not yet a useful indicator of drug dependence status.
Subject Area
Neurosciences|Experimental psychology|Physiological psychology|Psychology
Recommended Citation
Allen, Terry Jean, "Aggression, Impulsivity and Serotonin in Drug Dependence" (1996). Texas Medical Center Dissertations (via ProQuest). AAI9626085.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dissertations/AAI9626085