Halperin J M, Newcorn J H, Schwartz S T, Sharma V, Siever L J, Koda V H, Gabriel S
Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing 11367, USA.
Biol Psychiatry. 1997 Mar 15;41(6):682-9. doi: 10.1016/S0006-3223(96)00168-0.
The results of several studies have indicated an inverse relationship between central serotonergic (5-HT) mechanisms and aggression in animals and adults, but studies in children have yielded conflicting results. This study assessed 5-HT function, using a fenfluramine (FEN) challenge procedure, in an attempt to replicate a previously reported enhancement of the prolactin (PRL) response to FEN in aggressive relative to nonaggressive ADHD boys. The study failed to replicate the previous finding. Samples from both studies were then examined to reconcile the discrepant findings. The samples differed significantly in age. The entire group (n = 50) was then divided into older and younger subgroups and reanalyzed using a two-way (age-group x aggression) analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) controlling for plasma medication level. The ANCOVA generated a significant age-group x aggression interaction. Young aggressive boys had a significantly greater PRL response to FEN than young nonaggressive boys, but no such difference existed in the older age-group. These findings raise the possibility of different developmental trajectories in 5-HT function between aggressive and nonaggressive boys.
多项研究结果表明，动物和成年人的中枢5-羟色胺能（5-HT）机制与攻击性之间存在负相关，但针对儿童的研究结果却相互矛盾。本研究采用芬氟拉明（FEN）激发试验评估5-HT功能，试图重现先前报道的相对于非攻击性ADHD男孩，攻击性ADHD男孩对FEN的催乳素（PRL）反应增强的现象。该研究未能重现先前的发现。随后对两项研究的样本进行检查，以调和相互矛盾的结果。两个样本的年龄差异显著。然后将整个组（n = 50）分为年龄较大和较小的亚组，并使用控制血浆药物水平的双向（年龄组x攻击性）协方差分析（ANCOVA）重新进行分析。ANCOVA产生了显著的年龄组x攻击性交互作用。年轻的攻击性男孩对FEN的PRL反应明显大于年轻的非攻击性男孩，但在年龄较大的组中不存在这种差异。这些发现增加了攻击性和非攻击性男孩在5-HT功能方面存在不同发育轨迹的可能性。
