@article{ref1,
title="Preliminary evidence for an association between aggressive and hostile behaviour and 3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone plasma levels in schizophrenia",
journal="Journal of psychiatry and neuroscience",
year="2005",
author="Spalletta, Gianfranco and Romeo, Elena and Bonaviri, Giuseppina and Bernardi, Giorgio and Caltagirone, Carlo and di Michele, Flavia",
volume="30",
number="1",
pages="49-52",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: Because it has been suggested that agents acting on the gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA(A)) receptor complex, such as the neuroactive steroid 3!#!alpha;,5alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone (3alpha,5alpha-THP), may be biologic modulators of aggression, we aimed to measure 3alpha,5alpha-THP plasma concentrations in subjects with schizophrenia in order to investigate a possible relation with aggressive and hostile behaviour. METHODS: Eight outpatients with schizophrenia diagnosed according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), were included. Aggression and hostility were assessed using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale and the paranoid/belligerence symptom cluster of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Plasma samples were obtained 1 hour before psychometric assessment and were quantified for 3alpha,5alpha-THP using a highly sensitive and specific combined analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Increased aggressiveness and hostility were associated with increased 3alpha,5alpha-THP plasma levels (Pearson r = 0.72, p = 0.043 and Pearson r = 0.72, p = 0.041, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that the neuroactive steroid 3alpha,5alpha-THP may affect aggression and hostility in humans.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1180-4882",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}