Background
Neurochemical studies have pointed to a modulatory role in human aggression for a
variety of central neurotransmitters; some seem to play an inhibitory role, whereas
others seem to play a facilitory role in the modulation of aggression. Laboratory
animal studies of substance P suggest a facilitory role for this undecapeptide in
the modulation of aggression, but no studies of substance P have yet been reported
with regard to human aggression.
Methods
Basal lumbar cerebrospinal fluid samples were obtained from 38 physically healthy
subjects with personality disorder (PD) and substance P-like immunoreactivity was
measured and correlated with measures of aggression and impulsivity.
Results
The cerebrospinal fluid substance P-like immunoreactivity levels were directly correlated
with a composite measure of aggression and, more specifically, with Buss-Durkee Aggression.
No correlation was seen with any measure of impulsivity or of general dimensions of
personality.
Conclusions
These data suggest a direct relationship between central nervous system substance
P containing neural circuits and aggression in human subjects. This finding adds to
the complex picture of the central neuromodulatory role of impulsive aggression in
human subjects.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 27, 2012
Accepted:
February 24,
2012
Received in revised form:
February 21,
2012
Received:
January 9,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
