Open AccessAggression is related to frontal serotonin‐1A receptor distribution as revealed by PET in healthy subjects
Author(s) -
Witte A. Veronica,
Flöel Agnes,
Stein Patrycja,
Savli Markus,
Mien LeonhardKey,
Wadsak Wolfgang,
Spindelegger Christoph,
Moser Ulrike,
Fink Martin,
Hahn Andreas,
Mitterhauser Markus,
Kletter Kurt,
Kasper Siegfried,
Lanzenberger Rupert
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
human brain mapping
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.005
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1097-0193
pISSN - 1065-9471
DOI - 10.1002/hbm.20687
Subject(s) - serotonergic , aggression , endocrinology , medicine , psychology , anterior cingulate cortex , serotonin , impulsivity , amygdala , sex hormone binding globulin , prefrontal cortex , hormone , testosterone (patch) , receptor , neuroscience , androgen , developmental psychology , cognition
Abstract Objectives : Various studies indicate that serotonin regulates impulsivity and the inhibitory control of aggression. Aggression is also known to be modified by sex hormones, which exert influence on serotonergic neurotransmission. The present study aimed to elucidate potential interactions between human aggression, the inhibitory serotonergic 5‐HT 1A receptor, and sex hormones. Experimental Design : Thirty‐three healthy volunteers (16 women, aged 26.24 ± 5.5 yr) completed a validated questionnaire incorporating five dimensions of aggression. Subsequently, all subjects underwent positron emission tomography with the radioligand [carbonyl‐ 11 C]WAY‐100635 to quantify 5‐HT 1A binding potentials (BP ND s) in the prefrontal cortex, limbic areas, and midbrain. Also, plasma levels of testosterone, 17ß‐estradiol and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. Relations between aggression scores, regional 5‐HT 1A BP ND s, and hormone levels were analyzed using correlations, multivariate analyses of variance, and linear regressions. Principal Observations : Statistical analyses revealed higher 5‐HT 1A receptor BP ND s in subjects exhibiting higher aggression scores in prefrontal (all P < 0.041) and anterior cingulate cortices ( P = 0.016). More aggressive subjects were also characterized by lower SHBG levels ( P = 0.015). Moreover, higher SHBG levels were associated with lower 5‐HT 1A BP ND s in frontal ( P = 0.048) and cingulate cortices (all P < 0.013) and in the amygdala ( P = 0.03). Conclusions: The present study provides first‐time evidence for a specific interrelation between the 5‐HT 1A receptor distribution, sex hormones, and aggression in humans. Our findings point to a reduced down‐stream control due to higher amounts or activities of frontal 5‐HT 1A receptors in more aggressive subjects, which is presumably modulated by sex hormones. Hum Brain Mapp 30:2558–2570, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.