Citation

Coccaro EF, Lee R, Coussons-Read M. Int. J. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2015; 18(7): pyv001.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1093/ijnp/pyv001

PMID

25650410

Abstract

Background. Neurochemical studies have pointed to a modulatory role in human aggression for a variety of central neurotransmitters and neuromodulators such as cytokines. While animal studies of cytokines suggest an aggression facilitating role for central cytokines, especially for IL-1β and other cytokines, no cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies of cytokines have yet been reported in regard to human aggression.

METHODS. Basal lumbar CSF samples were obtained from 38 physically healthy subjects with DSM-5 Personality Disorder (PD) and assayed for CSF Interleukin-6 (log IL-6) and CSF soluble IL-1 Receptor II (sIL-1RII) protein in the context of their relationship with measures of aggression.

RESULTS. CSF sIL-1RII (r =.35, r(2) =.12, p =.03), but not log IL-6 (r = -.05, r(2) =.00, p =.76), levels were positively correlated with a composite measure of aggression. Adding relevant covariates, including CSF levels of serotonin and dopamine metabolites, to the statistical model doubled the strength of this relationship (partial r =.54, r(2) =.29, p =.002). No relationship was seen with history of suicidal behavior or with any measure of impulsivity, negative affectivity, or of general dimensions of personality.

CONCLUSION. These data suggest a positive relationship between at least one inflammatory cytokine in the central nervous system and aggression in human subjects. This finding adds to the complex picture of the central neurochemistry of impulsive aggression in human subjects.

Language: en