Lower omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower docosahexaenoic acid in men with pedophilia.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Previous studies have suggested that abnormalities in plasma phospholipid fatty acids may play a role in aggressive behavior. Recently, it was suggested that a dysfunctional serotonergic turnover in the brain may be involved in the etiopathology of pedophilia. Depletion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may cause alterations in the serotonergic system that may be related to pedophilia and aggression.

METHODS:

This study examines the serum phospholipid n-3 and n-6 PUFA fractions in pedophilia. Twenty-seven pedophilic men and eighteen healthy volunteers participated in this study.

RESULTS:

In pedophilia there was a significant depletion of the C22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), total n-3 fractions and an increase in the total n-6/n-3 and C20:4n-6/C20:5n-3 (arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid) ratios. Using the NEO Personality Inventory, lower DHA in pedophiles is related to more impulsiveness and lower agreeableness (trust, altruism, straightforwardness, compliance) and conscientiousness (self-discipline).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this study suggest that a depletion of the serum phospholipid n-3 higher unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) and, in particular, of DHA may take part in the pathophysiology of pedophilia. One hypothesis is that a depletion of n-3 HUFAs and DHA may cause alterations in the serotonergic turnover, which are related to impulse discontrol and aggression-hostility, behaviors which are associated with pedophilia.

• Authors: Elda Mincke, Paul Cosyns, Armand B Christophe, Stephanie De Vriese, Michael Maes
• Journal: Neuro endocrinology letters (Neuro Endocrinol Lett) Vol. 27 Issue 6 Pg. 719-23 (Dec 2006) ISSN: 0172-780X [Print] Sweden
• PMID: 17187003 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
• Docosahexaenoic Acids
• Serotonin

Topics

• Case-Control Studies
• Docosahexaenoic Acids (blood)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (blood)
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (blood)
• Humans
• Male
• Pedophilia (blood)
• Reference Values
• Serotonin (metabolism)
• Statistics, Nonparametric