Imbalance Between Nitric Oxide and Dopamine May Underly Aggression in Acute Neurological Patients

The neurochemical basis of aggressive behavior in humans is not fully understood. In this study we explored the relationship between aggressiveness (as measured by the Overt Aggression Scale), cognitive performance (as measured by the Mini Mental State Examination), and biochemical markers of dopami...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurochemical research 2010-10, Vol.35 (10), p.1659-1665
Main Authors: Ramírez-Bermudez, J., Perez-Neri, I., Montes, S., Ramirez-Abascal, M., Nente, F., Abundes-Corona, A., Soto-Hernandez, J. L., Rios, C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acute Disease
Adult
Aggression
Biochemistry
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Cell Biology
Cognition
Dopamine - metabolism
Female
Homovanillic Acid - cerebrospinal fluid
Humans
Male
Nervous System Diseases - metabolism
Nervous System Diseases - psychology
Neurochemistry
Neurology
Neurosciences
Nitric Oxide - metabolism
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Summary:The neurochemical basis of aggressive behavior in humans is not fully understood. In this study we explored the relationship between aggressiveness (as measured by the Overt Aggression Scale), cognitive performance (as measured by the Mini Mental State Examination), and biochemical markers of dopamine neurotransmission (homovanillic acid, HVA) and nitric oxide synthesis (nitrite plus nitrate, NO x ) in cerebrospinal fluid from 70 patients with acute brain disorders, mainly brain infections. Aggressive behavior and cognitive performance showed an inverse correlation. NO x /HVA ratio was inversely correlated to aggressive behavior, and positively correlated to cognitive performance. A subanalysis with antipsychotic-naïve patients confirmed those results. The balance between nitric oxide and dopamine could be related to the cognitive control of aggressive impulse.
ISSN:0364-3190
1573-6903
DOI:10.1007/s11064-010-0227-y