OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the effects of rapid tryptophan depletion (RTD) and the ensuing reduction of central nervous levels of serotonin (5-HT) on reactive aggression with respect to personality factors comprising aspects of trait-impulsivity and -aggression in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD). METHODS:Twenty-two male adolescent patients with ADHD received the RTD test on one day, and, on another day a tryptophan balanced placebo in a double-blind within-subject crossover design. Impulsive personality factors and trait-impulsivity were assessed in advance of the study. Aggression was provoked using a competitive reaction time game 270 min after RTD/placebo intake. RESULTS: RTD had a significant effect on increased aggressive behaviour with which low-grade impulsive patients responded. High-grade impulsive patients were not affected by RTD or even responded with increased aggressive behaviour while receiving placebo treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports the hypothesis that 5-HT functioning in ADHD patients influences reactive aggression depending on aspects of trait-impulsivity. Future studies are necessary in order to detect the specific influence of ADHD as regards the relevance to 5-HT-induced changed aggressive responding. (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the effects of rapid tryptophan depletion (RTD) and the ensuing reduction of central nervous levels of serotonin (5-HT) on reactive aggression with respect to personality factors comprising aspects of trait-impulsivity and -aggression in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD). METHODS: Twenty-two male adolescent patients with ADHD received the RTD test on one day, and, on another day a tryptophan balanced placebo in a double-blind within-subject crossover design. Impulsive personality factors and trait-impulsivity were assessed in advance of the study. Aggression was provoked using a competitive reaction time game 270 min after RTD/placebo intake. RESULTS: RTD had a significant effect on increased aggressive behaviour with which low-grade impulsivepatients responded. High-grade impulsivepatients were not affected by RTD or even responded with increased aggressive behaviour while receiving placebo treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The present study supports the hypothesis that 5-HT functioning in ADHDpatients influences reactive aggression depending on aspects of trait-impulsivity. Future studies are necessary in order to detect the specific influence of ADHD as regards the relevance to 5-HT-induced changed aggressive responding. (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Authors: V L S Dingerkus; T J Gaber; K Helmbold; S Bubenzer; A Eisert; C L Sánchez; F D Zepf Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2012-05-24 Impact factor: 3.575
Authors: G G von Polier; C S Biskup; W F Kötting; S Bubenzer; K Helmbold; A Eisert; T J Gaber; F D Zepf Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2013-12-01 Impact factor: 3.575
Authors: Cristina L Sánchez; Amanda E D Van Swearingen; Andrew E Arrant; Cynthia M Kuhn; Florian D Zepf Journal: J Neural Transm (Vienna) Date: 2013-09-24 Impact factor: 3.575