The neuropsychopharmacology of criminality and aggression

Although the idea that aggression has biological components is not a new on e, recent research in genetics, neuropsycharmacology and neuroimaging has h elped clarify the biological contributions to aggression. Studies to date h ave focused on serotonergic function and impulsive aggression. Reduced leve ls of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) are ass ociated with impulsive aggression. Pharmacochallenge studies have found dec reased serotonergic responsiveness associated with impulsive aggression. Ne uroimaging studies suggest a role for the prefrontal cortex, along with oth er regions of the brain, in the expression of aggression. Serotonin is not the only aspect of brain function implicated in impulsive aggression, and f urther work is being done on other neurotransmitters and neuropeptides.