Whole blood serotonin and disruptive behaviors in juvenile obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The study was conducted with children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to assess the relationship of whole blood serotonin (5-HT) content to a concurrent diagnosis of a disruptive behavior disorder (DBD) and to severity ratings of aggressive behavior.

METHOD:

Eighteen children and adolescents who met DSM-III-R criteria for OCD were evaluated with a structured interview, clinician rating scales, and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Blood 5-HT concentration was assayed with a fluorometric procedure. Relationships among categorical diagnoses, dimensional ratings, and blood 5-HT content were analyzed with bivariate and multivariate techniques.

RESULTS:

OCD subjects with a DBD (n = 6) had significantly higher scores than those without a DBD (n = 12) on the Total Problem scale, the Externalizing Problem scale, and several of the behavioral syndrome scales of the CBCL. Blood 5-HT concentrations were significantly lower in those with a DBD than in those without a DBD, and blood 5-HT concentrations had significant negative correlations with the Total score, the Externalizing score, and the Aggressive Behavior score of the CBCL.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results provide further evidence of a significant relationship between aggressive behavior and serotonergic functioning.

• Authors: G L Hanna, A Yuwiler, J K Coates
• Journal: Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry) Vol. 34 Issue 1 Pg. 28-35 (Jan 1995) ISSN: 0890-8567 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7860453 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Serotonin

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adolescent Behavior (psychology)
• Age Factors
• Age of Onset
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (blood, diagnosis)
• Serotonin (blood)
• Severity of Illness Index