Plasma L-tryptophan depletion and aggression

Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999:467:57-65. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4615-4709-9_7.

Abstract

There is a well-established relationship between aggression and lowered serotonin neuro-transmission. Recently developed methodologies for manipulating L-tryptophan levels (and brain serotonin) have been applied to human laboratory studies of aggression. Collectively, these studies provide further evidence for the serotonin-aggression relationship. Two important findings have been made recently: (1) subsets of individuals (e.g., persons self-rating high on aggressive or hostility scales) may differ in their susceptibility to aggression produced through plasma tryptophan depletion; and (2) alcohol in combination with L-tryptophan depletion has an additive effect on aggression. All previous studies have been conducted with men. Extending these studies to women appears to be the much-needed next step given that serotonergic levels appear to vary both as a function of the menstrual cycle phase and menstrual symptomatology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aggression / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Tryptophan / blood*
  • Tryptophan / deficiency

Substances

  • Serotonin
  • Tryptophan