PLATELET SEROTONIN MEASURES IN ADOLESCENTS WITH CONDUCT DISORDER

Dysregulation of serotonergic function has been associated with aggres sion in several studies involving children, adolescents, and adults, T his study investigated the relationship of platelet serotonergic measu res to conduct disorder type, severity of aggression, and social skill s impairment. Standardized assessments of diagnosis, aggression, impul sivity, and social skills were obtained from 43 male adolescents (ages 13-17) incarcerated at an involuntary residential treatment facility for juvenile offenders. Blood samples were collected and assayed for w hole blood serotonin (5-HT) and platelet [H-3]-paroxetine-labeled 5-HT -transporter binding. Whole blood 5-HT was higher in adolescents with conduct disorder childhood type than in subjects with conduct disorder , adolescent type. Whole blood 5-HT was positively correlated with vio lence rating of the current offense and total offense points, and staf f ratings of social skills impairment. Our findings are consistent wit h a relationship between 5-HT dysregulation and aggressive behavior in incarcerated adolescent boys with conduct disorder, particularly of c hildhood onset, (C) 1997 Society of Biological Psychiatry.