IMPULSIVE AGGRESSION IN PERSONALITY-DISORDER CORRELATES WITH PLATELET5-HT2A RECEPTOR-BINDING

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between plat elet 5-HT2A receptor binding and aggressive behaviour. I-125-LSD B-max and K-d values were measures foe 22 subjects meeting DMS-III-R criter ia for one or more personality disorders and 12 healthy volunteer subj ects. Aggression and impulsivity were assessed using the Buss-Durkee H ostility Inventory (BDHI) Assault scale, Life History of Aggression (L HA) scale, and the Barrett-11 Impulsiveness scale (BIS-11). B-max and K-d values did not differ between personality disordered subjects and healthy volunteers. However, both B-max and K-d values correlated posi tively with BDHI Assault scores in personality-disordered subjects but not in healthy volunteer subjects. These results suggest that assault iveness in personality-disordered subjects may covary with increasing numbers, but decreasing affinity of platelet 5-HT2A receptor sites lab eled by I-125-LSD. (C) 1997 American College of Neuropsychopharmacolog y.