Stefano Comai1, Antonella Bertazzo2, Jeanne Vachon3, Marc Daigle4, Jean Toupin5, Gilles Côté4, Gabriella Gobbi6. 1. Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; San Raffaele Scientific Institute and Vita Salute University, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: comai.stefano@hsr.it. 2. Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. 3. Institut Philippe-Pinel, Montreal, QC, Canada. 4. Institut Philippe-Pinel, Montreal, QC, Canada; Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Trois-Rivières, QC, Canada. 5. Institut Philippe-Pinel, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Psychoeducation, Sherbrooke University, QC, Canada. 6. Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University Health Center, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. Electronic address: gabriella.gobbi@mcgill.ca.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Mental, personality and substance use disorders are over represented among prisoners and aggressive individuals. The psychopathological and biological markers linked to mental functioning remain still unclear. In particular, the role of trace elements in mental illness is still matter of debate. Here, we investigated whether trace elements are correlated to specific psychopathological phenotype groups. METHODS: Axis I and II disorders, aggression, impulsivity, adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) indices and serum levels of zinc, copper and cadmium were evaluated in 160 male prisoners. RESULTS: Using latent class analysis we could subdivide prisoners into three distinct psychopathological classes: Class 1 characterized by low prevalence of aggression, personality disorders and substance abuse/dependence (alcohol, cannabis, cocaine); Class 2 represented by low prevalence of aggression and high prevalence of personality disorders and substance abuse/dependence; Class 3 defined by high prevalence of aggression, personality disorders and substance abuse/dependence. Serum levels of zinc were higher in Class 2 and 3 compared to Class 1. Moreover, Class 3 was associated with higher scores of impulsivity and ADHD indices. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that impulsivity but also adult ADHD indices are related to aggressive behaviour, and higher zinc levels are linked to personality disorders and addictions, but not to aggression.
OBJECTIVES: Mental, personality and substance use disorders are over represented among prisoners and aggressive individuals. The psychopathological and biological markers linked to mental functioning remain still unclear. In particular, the role of trace elements in mental illness is still matter of debate. Here, we investigated whether trace elements are correlated to specific psychopathological phenotype groups. METHODS: Axis I and II disorders, aggression, impulsivity, adult attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) indices and serum levels of zinc, copper and cadmium were evaluated in 160 male prisoners. RESULTS: Using latent class analysis we could subdivide prisoners into three distinct psychopathological classes: Class 1 characterized by low prevalence of aggression, personality disorders and substance abuse/dependence (alcohol, cannabis, cocaine); Class 2 represented by low prevalence of aggression and high prevalence of personality disorders and substance abuse/dependence; Class 3 defined by high prevalence of aggression, personality disorders and substance abuse/dependence. Serum levels of zinc were higher in Class 2 and 3 compared to Class 1. Moreover, Class 3 was associated with higher scores of impulsivity and ADHD indices. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that impulsivity but also adult ADHD indices are related to aggressive behaviour, and higher zinc levels are linked to personality disorders and addictions, but not to aggression.