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Total plasma l ‐tryptophan, free l ‐tryptophan and competing amino acid levels in a homicidal male adolescent with conduct disorder
Author(s) -
Virkkunen M.,
Ebeling H.,
Moilanen I.,
Tani P.,
Pennanen S.,
Liesivuori J.,
Tiihonen J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0447.2003.00164.x
Subject(s) - tryptophan , conduct disorder , antisocial personality disorder , poison control , serotonin , psychology , young adult , injury prevention , endocrinology , medicine , psychiatry , chemistry , amino acid , medical emergency , biochemistry , receptor
Objective: Several studies have shown abnormal findings in human serotonin metabolism, such as increased total plasma l ‐tryptophan and free l ‐tryptophan levels among habitually violent antisocial offenders. It is not clear if these increased l ‐tryptophan levels are associated with adult antisocial personality disorder (ASP) or history of substance abuse, or if these levels are already present in adolescent subjects with conduct disorder (CD). Method: Total plasma and free l ‐tryptophan and competing amino acids (CAAs) were measured in a 15‐year‐old adolescent offender, who was convicted for two homicides, and in 10 healthy male controls of similar age and body mass index (BMI). Results: In the juvenile offender, plasma total l ‐tryptophan/CAA was 84% and free l ‐tryptophan/CAA 143% higher than average mean among controls. Conclusion: From this very aggressive boy with CD, findings of free l ‐ and total l ‐tryptophan/CAA values were similar to those of habitually violent adult ASP offenders. As severe CDs in adolescence tend to develop into adults with ASP, increased l ‐tryptophan/CAA and free l ‐tryptophan/CAA values may serve as early indicators for the development of habitually violent adult offenders.