Citation

Halperin JM, Kalmar JH, Schulz KP, Marks DJ, Sharma V, Newcorn JH. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 2006; 45(7): 833-840.

Affiliation

Psychology Department, Queens College, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11367, USA. jeffrey.halperin@qc.cuny.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/01.chi.0000220855.79144.ae

PMID

16832320

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This longitudinal study examined whether responsiveness of the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) in childhood predicts adolescent aggression. METHOD: Boys (N = 33) with disruptive behavior disorders who received assessments of central 5-HT function via the prolactin response to fenfluramine between 1990 and 1994 when they were 7 to 11 years old were re-evaluated clinically on average 6.7 years later. RESULTS: After accounting for baseline aggression, early 5-HT function accounted for a significant proportion of variance in adolescent aggression. This prospective relationship of childhood 5-HT function with adolescent aggression (r = -0.71) and antisocial behavior (r = -0.59) was found primarily in adolescents who were aggressive during childhood. Irrespective of childhood aggression, no child with high 5-HT function was particularly aggressive at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Low childhood 5-HT function appears important, but not sufficient, for the emergence of adolescent aggression. However, early high 5-HT function may protect against adolescent violence and aggression.

Language: en