Abstract
The prevalence of aggression has become an increasing problem that threatens lives, from suicidal ideation to homicide. Multiple factors contribute to such issue, including genetic, psychological, familial, economic, environmental, dietary habits, endocrine disturbances, psychiatric disorders, and neurological disturbances, making it resistant to control. If key targets can be identified, it might be possible to find a cure. To date, glutamate has been one culprit involved in aggression, instigated by inflammatory mediators and reactive oxygen species. Monosodium glutamate as well as omega-3 and-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids -components of our modern diet- modulate the inflammatory state, hence, affecting brain and blood glutamate, the latter is an essential neurotransmitter sharing in the antioxidant capacity of erythrocytes.Hence, the erythrocytic or blood glutamate assay, along with members of the inflammatory cascade, might be a cost-effective diagnostic and prognostic tool for aggressive behavior, especially feasible for assessing the efficacy of the intervening dietary and/or pharmacological measures to prevent such potentially devastating behavior.