Aggression in humans correlates with cerebrospinal fluid amine metabolites

Psychiatry Res. 1979 Oct;1(2):131-9. doi: 10.1016/0165-1781(79)90053-2.

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid of the major central metabolites of serotonin (5HT), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (DA)--5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy=phenylglycol (MHPG), and homovanillic acid (HVA), respectively--were studied in a group of 26 age-similar military men with no history of major psychiatric illness, but with various personality disorders and difficulties adjusting to military life. Independently scored history of aggressive behavior showed a significant negative correlation with 5HIAA (r = -0.78) and a significant positive correlation with MHPG (r = 0.64).

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aggression / physiology*
  • Glycols / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Homovanillic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Male
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Phenylacetates / cerebrospinal fluid*

Substances

  • Glycols
  • Phenylacetates
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
  • Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
  • Homovanillic Acid