TY - JOUR
T1 - Preliminary evidence for an association between aggressive and hostile behaviour and 3αc,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone plasma levels in schizophrenia
AU - Spalletta, Gianfranco
AU - Romeo, Elena
AU - Bonaviri, Giuseppina
AU - Bernardi, Giorgio
AU - Caltagirone, Carlo
AU - Di Michele, Flavia
PY - 2005/1
Y1 - 2005/1
N2 - Objective: Because it has been suggested that agents acting on the γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor complex, such as the neuroactive steroid 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP), may be biologic modulators of aggression, we aimed to measure 3α,5α-THP plasma concentrations in subjects with schizophrenia in order to investigate a possible relation with aggressive and hostile behaviour. Methods: Eight outpatients with schizophrenia diagnosed according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), were included. Aggression and hostility were assessed using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale and the paranoid/ belligerence symptom cluster of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Plasma samples were obtained 1 hour before psychometric assessment and were quantified for 3α,5α-THP using a highly sensitive and specific combined analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Increased aggressiveness and hostility were associated with increased 3α,5α- THP plasma levels (Pearson r = 0.72, p = 0.043 and Pearson r = 0.72, p = 0.041, respectively). Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the neuroactive steroid 3α,5α-THP may affect aggression and hostility in humans.
AB - Objective: Because it has been suggested that agents acting on the γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor complex, such as the neuroactive steroid 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP), may be biologic modulators of aggression, we aimed to measure 3α,5α-THP plasma concentrations in subjects with schizophrenia in order to investigate a possible relation with aggressive and hostile behaviour. Methods: Eight outpatients with schizophrenia diagnosed according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), were included. Aggression and hostility were assessed using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale and the paranoid/ belligerence symptom cluster of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Plasma samples were obtained 1 hour before psychometric assessment and were quantified for 3α,5α-THP using a highly sensitive and specific combined analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: Increased aggressiveness and hostility were associated with increased 3α,5α- THP plasma levels (Pearson r = 0.72, p = 0.043 and Pearson r = 0.72, p = 0.041, respectively). Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the neuroactive steroid 3α,5α-THP may affect aggression and hostility in humans.
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M3 - Article
C2 - 15644998
AN - SCOPUS:14144251271
VL - 30
SP - 49
EP - 52
JO - Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
JF - Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
SN - 1180-4882
IS - 1
ER -