The Neuropsychopharmacology of Criminality and Aggression

Abstract

Although the idea that aggression has biological components is not a new one, recent research in genetics, neuropsychopharmacology, and neuroimaging has helped clar ify the bi o log i cal con tri bu tions to ag gres sion. Studies to date have fo cused on serotonergic func tion and im pul sive ag gres sion. Re duced lev els of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) are as so ci ated with im pul sive ag gres sion. Pharmacochallenge stud ies have foun d de creased serotonergic re sponsive ness as so ci ated with im pul sive ag gres sion. Neuroimaging stud ies sug gest a role for the prefrontal cor tex, along with other r egions of the brain, in the ex pres sion of ag gres sion. Se ro to nin is not the only as pect of brain func tion im pli cated in impulsive ag gres sion, and fur ther work is be ing done on other neurotransmitters and neuropeptides.