McCloskey Michael S, Berman Mitchell E, Echevarria David J, Coccaro Emil F
Pritzker School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2009 Apr;33(4):581-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.2008.00872.x. Epub 2009 Jan 12.
The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the serotonin (5-HT) system in alcohol-related aggression.
Specifically, we experimentally examined the effects of 5-HT augmentation on alcohol-related aggression in men (n = 56). After consuming either alcohol (mean blood alcohol concentration of 0.10%) or a placebo (no alcohol) drink, and taking either 20 mg of paroxetine (Paxil) or a placebo pill, participants were provided the opportunity to administer electric shock to a (faux) opponent during a task disguised as a reaction-time game. Aggression was defined as the intensity of shock chosen and the frequency with which an extreme (clearly painful) shock was chosen. We predicted that 5-HT augmentation would be associated with lower aggressive behavior overall, and also reduce the aggression facilitating effects of acute alcohol intoxication.
The results indicated that alcohol intoxication increased aggression, particularly under low provocation. Paroxetine decreased aggression, particularly during high provocation. These effects, however, occurred independently of each other.
The effect of alcohol on extreme aggression was moderated by previous aggression history, with more aggressive individuals showing greater alcohol-related increases in extreme aggression.
本研究旨在探讨血清素（5-羟色胺，5-HT）系统在与酒精相关的攻击行为中的作用。
具体而言，我们通过实验研究了5-HT增强对男性（n = 56）与酒精相关攻击行为的影响。在饮用酒精饮料（平均血液酒精浓度为0.10%）或安慰剂（不含酒精）饮料，并服用20毫克帕罗西汀（帕罗西汀）或安慰剂药丸后，参与者有机会在一项伪装成反应时间游戏的任务中对（虚拟）对手实施电击。攻击行为被定义为所选择的电击强度以及选择极端（明显疼痛）电击的频率。我们预测，5-HT增强总体上会与较低的攻击行为相关联，并且还会降低急性酒精中毒对攻击行为的促进作用。
结果表明，酒精中毒会增加攻击行为，尤其是在低挑衅情况下。帕罗西汀会降低攻击行为，尤其是在高挑衅期间。然而，这些效应是相互独立发生的。
酒精对极端攻击行为的影响受到既往攻击行为史的调节，攻击性更强的个体在极端攻击行为中与酒精相关的增加幅度更大。
