Citation

Cherek DR, Lane SD, Pietras CJ, Sharon J, Steinberg JL. Psychopharmacology 2002; 164(2): 160-167.

Affiliation

Human Psychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center, 1300 Moursund Street, Houston, TX 77030-3497, USA. don.r.cherek@uth.tmc.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00213-002-1167-2

PMID

12404078

Abstract

RATIONALE: The possible role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in human aggression was evaluated by administering baclofen, a GABA-B agonist and comparing the effects on laboratory measures of aggression and escape among subjects with and without a history of conduct disorder. METHODS: Twenty male subjects with a history of criminal behavior participated in experimental sessions, which measured aggressive and escape responses. Ten subjects had a history of childhood conduct disorder (CD+) and ten control subjects had no history of CD. Aggression was measured using the point subtraction aggression paradigm (PSAP), which provides subjects with aggressive, escape, and monetary-reinforced response options. RESULTS: Acute doses (0.07, 0.14 and 0.28 mg/kg) of baclofen had remarkably different effects on aggressive responses among CD+ subjects relative to control subjects. Aggressive responses of CD+ subjects decreased, while aggressive responses of control subjects increased following baclofen administration. Baclofen decreased escape responses for both CD+ and control subjects. No changes in monetary-reinforced responses were observed, indicative of no central nervous system stimulation or sedation. CONCLUSIONS: The GABA-B agonist baclofen suppressed aggressive responses in subjects with a history of childhood CD, while producing the opposite effect in control subjects. These suggest a possible unique role for GABA in the regulation of aggression in CD+ population.

Language: en