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Discovery of biochemical biomarkers for aggression: A role for metabolomics in psychiatry
Author(s) -
Hagenbeek Fiona A.,
Kluft Cornelis,
Hankemeier Thomas,
Bartels Meike,
Draisma Harmen H. M.,
Middeldorp Christel M.,
Berger Ruud,
Noto Antonio,
Lussu Milena,
Pool René,
Fanos Vassilios,
Boomsma Dorret I.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of medical genetics part b: neuropsychiatric genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.393
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1552-485X
pISSN - 1552-4841
DOI - 10.1002/ajmg.b.32435
Subject(s) - aggression , metabolomics , psychology , psychiatry , clinical psychology , medicine , bioinformatics , biology
Human aggression encompasses a wide range of behaviors and is related to many psychiatric disorders. We introduce the different classification systems of aggression and related disorders as a basis for discussing biochemical biomarkers and then present an overview of studies in humans (published between 1990 and 2015) that reported statistically significant associations of biochemical biomarkers with aggression, DSM‐IV disorders involving aggression, and their subtypes. The markers are of different types, including inflammation markers, neurotransmitters, lipoproteins, and hormones from various classes. Most studies focused on only a limited portfolio of biomarkers, frequently a specific class only. When integrating the data, it is clear that compounds from several biological pathways have been found to be associated with aggressive behavior, indicating complexity and the need for a broad approach. In the second part of the paper, using examples from the aggression literature and psychiatric metabolomics studies, we argue that a better understanding of aggression would benefit from a more holistic approach such as provided by metabolomics. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.