TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1998//
TI  - In vivo association between alcohol intoxication, aggression, and serotonin transporter availability in nonhuman primates
JO  - American journal of psychiatry
A1  - Heinz, A.
A1  - Higley, J. D.
A1  - Gorey, J. G.
A1  - Saunders, R. C.
A1  - Jones, D. W.
A1  - Hommer, D.
A1  - Zajicek, K.
A1  - Suomi, S. J.
A1  - Lesch, K. P.
A1  - Weinberger, D. R.
A1  - Linnoila, M.
SP  - 1023
EP  - 1028
VL  - 155
IS  - 8
N2  - OBJECTIVE: Studies on brain serotonin metabolism in human and nonhuman primates have indicated that dysfunction of serotonin transmission may play a role in the biological vulnerability to dependence on alcohol. Among young men, low sensitivity to alcohol intoxication predicts subsequent alcohol abuse and dependence. METHOD: The authors used single photon emission computed tomography and the radioligand [(I)123]beta-CIT ([(I)123]methyl 3beta-(4-iodophenyl) tropane-2-carboxylate) to measure the availability of serotonin transporters in 11 male rhesus monkeys, and the monkeys were genotyped for a functional polymorphism of the serotonin transporter gene. The 11 monkeys had experienced parental separation after birth; their behavior and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations in CSF had been assessed regularly. RESULTS: In the 5-year-old monkeys, there was a significant negative correlation between beta-CIT binding to serotonin transporters in the brainstem and 5-HIAA concentrations in CSF. Animals with greater beta-CIT binding and low CSF 5-HIAA concentrations displayed greater aggressiveness and were less sensitive to alcohol-induced intoxication. The genetic constitution of the serotonin transporter promoter gene did not significantly contribute to the availability of brainstem serotonin transporters as measured by beta-CIT binding. CONCLUSIONS: In adult nonhuman primates who underwent early developmental stress, variables indicating a low serotonin turnover rate were associated with behavior patterns similar to those predisposing to early-onset alcoholism among humans.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0002-953X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -