Am J Psychiatry 1994; 151:243-248
Copyright © 1994 by American Psychiatric Association
Serotonergic function in aggressive and nonaggressive boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
JM Halperin, V Sharma, LJ Siever, ST Schwartz, K Matier, G Wornell and JH Newcorn
Department of Psychology, Queens College, Flushing, NY 11367.
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to assess central serotonergic (5- HT)
function in aggressive and nonaggressive boys with attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder. METHOD: Prolactin response to a challenge dose of
the 5-HT agonist d,l-fenfluramine was assessed in 25 7-11-year-old boys
with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who were divided into
aggressive and nonaggressive subgroups. In addition, the subgroups were
compared on plasma catecholamine metabolites and platelet 5-HT. RESULTS:
The aggressive group had a significantly greater prolactin response to the
fenfluramine challenge than the nonaggressive subgroup. The groups did not
differ on peripheral measures of neurotransmitter function. CONCLUSIONS:
These data suggest that aggressive and nonaggressive children with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder differ in central 5-HT
functioning.
