A controlled study of tryptophan and cortisol in violent offenders.

K Blennow, S Pennanen, J Liesivuori, H Soderstrom, A Forsman, J Tiihonen

Journal: Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) 2005;111(12):1605-10

PMID: 15565494

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Abstract

Changes in the metabolism of tryptophan, other amino acids, and steroid hormones have been implicated in aggression. We compared tryptophan, competing long amino acids (CAAs), and cortisol in serum (S) and CSF in 22 violent offenders and 15 healthy controls. Offenders had significantly increased S-L-tryptophan, S-free tryptophan, S-CAAs, S-cortisol and CSF-cortisol, indicating abnormal neurophysiological processes. Larger studies on the interplay between violence, serotonin precursors, and stress hormones need to integrate personality traits, life situations, and physiological adaptation.

Address: Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Göteborg University, Sweden. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1007/s00702-004-0219-7

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MeSH Terms: Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aggression, Amino Acids, Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Male, Middle Aged, Tryptophan, Violence