Ipsapirone challenge in aggressive men shows an inverse correlation between 5-HT1A receptor function and aggression

Previous studies have suggested that 5-HT1A receptor function is linked to aggression. We studied 12 healthy men selected to have high trait levels of aggression. They filled in various self-rating measures of agression, and underwent a double blind, crossover challenge with ipsapirone (20 mg orally ) and a placebo. On both occasions. we measured the endocrine (ACTH, cortis ol, growth hormone and prolactin), hypothermic and bodily symptom responses every 30 min for 180 min. We found that subjects with blunted neuroendocri ne responses to the ipsapirone challenge had significantly higher self-rati ngs of aggression on a number of measures, The same relationship held using the bodily symptom response to ipsapirone: blunted responses were associat ed with higher ratings of aggression. We conclude that impaired 5-HT1A rece ptor function is associated with increased aggressiveness.