Citation

Zepf FD, Stadler C, Demisch L, Schmitt M, Landgraf M, Poustka F. Hum. Psychopharmacol. 2008; 23(1): 43-51.

Affiliation

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, J.W. Goethe University of Frankfurt a.M., Germany. F.Zepf@med.uni-frankfurt.de

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/hup.896

PMID

17926336

Abstract

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.

Language: en