Citation

Tiihonen J, Virkkunen M, Räsänen P, Pennanen S, Sainio EL, Callaway J, Halonen P, Liesivuori J. Psychopharmacology 2001; 157(4): 395-400.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 320, 00029 Hus, Finland. jari.tiihonen@hus.fi

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s002130100842

PMID

11605099

Abstract

RATIONALE: Several studies have shown that impulsive violent behavior is associated with reduced serotonin metabolism in the brain, but no data exist on possible alterations of the serotonin precursor (free L-tryptophan) levels among violent offenders. OBJECTIVES: To study free L-tryptophan and kynurenine plasma levels among antisocial violent offenders. METHODS: Free L-tryptophan and competing amino acid (CAA) plasma levels were measured among 19 male impulsive antisocial violent offenders and 19 age-matched healthy male controls. RESULTS: Mean free L-tryptophan/(CAA) plasma levels were 160% (95% CI 116%-204%) higher among offenders than controls (P=0.000). Seventeen of the 19 offenders (89.5%) had values of more than 2 SD above the mean value of controls. The levels of kynurenine, the major metabolite of tryptophan, were slightly increased in offenders. CONCLUSION: Free plasma L-tryptophan/CAA levels were markedly increased among antisocial violent offenders indicating a disturbed tryptophan metabolism.

Language: en