PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Gianfranco Spalletta
AU  - Elena Romeo
AU  - Giuseppina Bonaviri
AU  - Giorgio Bernardi
AU  - Carlo Caltagirone
AU  - Flavia di Michele
TI  - Preliminary evidence for an association between aggressive and hostile behaviour and 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone plasma levels in schizophrenia
DP  - 2005 Jan 01
TA  - Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience
PG  - 49--52
VI  - 30
IP  - 1
4099  - http://jpn.ca/content/30/1/49.short
4100  - http://jpn.ca/content/30/1/49.full
SO  - JPN2005 Jan 01; 30
AB  - Objective: Because it has been suggested that agents acting on the γ-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptor complex, such as the neuroactive steroid 3α,5α-tetrahydroprogesterone (3α,5α-THP), may be biologic modulators of aggression, we aimed to measure 3α,5α-THP plasma concentrations in subjects with schizophrenia in order to investigate a possible relation with aggressive and hostile behaviour.Methods: Eight outpatients with schizophrenia diagnosed according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV), were included. Aggression and hostility were assessed using the Modified Overt Aggression Scale and the paranoid/belligerence symptom cluster of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Plasma samples were obtained 1 hour before psychometric assessment and were quantified for 3α,5α-THP using a highly sensitive and specific combined analysis by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.Results: Increased aggressiveness and hostility were associated with increased 3α,5α-THP plasma levels (Pearson r = 0.72, p = 0.043 and Pearson r = 0.72, p = 0.041, respectively).Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that the neuroactive steroid 3α,5α-THP may affect aggression and hostility in humans.