Lower baseline plasma cortisol and prolactin together with increased body temperature and higher mCPP-induced cortisol responses in men with pedophilia

There is some evidence that hormonal and serotonergic alterations may play a role in the pathophysiology of paraphilias. The aims of the present study were to examine: 1) baseline plasma cortisol, plasma prolactin, and body t emperature; and 2) cortisol, prolactin, body temperature, as well as behavi oral responses to metachlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) and placebo in pedophil es and normal men. Pedophiles showed significantly lower baseline plasma co rtisol and prolactin concentrations and a higher body temperature than norm al volunteers. The mCPP-induced cortisol responses were significantly great er in pedophiles than in normal volunteers. In normal volunteers, mCPP-indu ced a hyperthermic response, whereas in pedophiles no such response was obs erved. mCPP induced different behavioral responses in pedophiles than in no rmal men. In pedophiles, but not in normal men, mCPP increased the sensatio ns "feeling dizzy," "restless," and "strange" and decreased the sensation " feeling hungry". The results suggest that there are several serotonergic di sturbances in pedophiles. It is hypothesized that the results are compatibl e with a decreased activity of the serotonergic presynaptic neuron and a 5- HT2 postsynaptic receptor hyperresponsivity. (C) 2000 American College of N europsychopharmacology. Published by Elsevier Science Inc.