View article

To test the hypothesis that traits of aggression and impulsivity correlate negatively with central serotonergic system function in a nonpatient population, a standard fenfluramine challenge (for assessment of serotonergic responsivity) and behavioral measurements germane to aggression/impulsivity were administered to a community-derived sample of 119 men and women. In men, peak prolactin responses to fenfluramine correlated significantly with an interview-assessed life history of aggression (r = −.40, p < .002), the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (r = −.30, p < .03), and traits of Conscientiousness (r = +.30, p < .03), Neuroticism (r = −.31, p < .02) and Angry Hostility (r = −.35, p < .01) on the NEO-Personality Inventory. No significant relationships were observed across all women, although subanalyses restricted to postmenopausal subjects (in whom ovarian influences on prolactin secretion may be mitigated because …