Abstract
There is a well-established relationship between aggression and lowered serotonin neurotransmission. Recently developed methodologies for manipulating L-tryptophan levels (and brain serotonin) have been applied to human laboratory studies of aggression. Collectively, these studies provide further evidence for the serotonin-aggression relationship. Two important findings have been made recently: (1) subsets of individuals (e.g., persons self-rating high on aggressive or hostility scales) may differ in their susceptibility to aggression produced through plasma tryptophan depletion; and (2) alcohol in combination with L-tryptophan depletion has an additive effect on aggression. All previous studies have been conducted with men. Extending these studies to women appears to be the much-needed next step given that serotonergic levels appear to vary both as a function of the menstrual cycle phase and menstrual symptomatology.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 57-65 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Advances in experimental medicine and biology |
Volume | 467 |
State | Published - 2000 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)