Clinical Studies Investigating Aggressive Behaviors And Alcoholism

为了更好地了解酒精和攻击性之间的关系，我们研究了一个有家庭暴力（DV）历史的酗酒者亚群。 这样做的理由是，70%至80%的家庭暴力肇事者有酒精问题，其次，大多数肇事者报告说，当他们喝酒时，他们更有可能变得咄咄逼人。 在我们之前对家庭暴力施暴者的研究中，我们发现他们对焦虑刺激超级敏感，中枢神经系统5-羟色胺代谢发生改变，皮质和杏仁核之间的连接减少。 由于5-羟色胺调节情绪和对环境刺激的反应，我们假设氟西汀在降低DV肇事者的攻击和焦虑方面比安慰剂更有效。 在基线和研究结束时进行了fMRI研究，以增加我们对氟西汀如何影响皮质和皮质下大脑相互作用的理解。 对5-羟色胺转运体进行基因分型，以确定肇事者对氟西汀的行为反应是否与其基因型有关。 已完成参与者帐户。 结果表明，氟西汀和禁欲的易怒减少。 治疗的有效性得到了他们配偶和其他重要人士的报告的支持。 fMRI数据目前正在处理和分析中。 第一份手稿正在编写中。

To better understand the relationship between alcohol and aggression, we studied a subpopulation of alcoholics who had a history of perpetrating acts of domestic violence (DV). The rational for this is based on the fact that 70% to 80% of perpetrators of DV have an alcohol problem and secondly, most perpetrators report that when they consume alcohol they are more likely to become aggressive. In our previous studies involving perpetrators of domestic violence, we found that they were supersensitive to anxiogenic stimuli, had alterations in CNS serotonin metabolism, and decreased connectivity between the cortex and the amygdala. Since serotonin modulates mood and responsiveness to environmental stimuli, we hypothesized that fluoxetine would be more effective than placebo in decreasing measures of aggression and anxiety in perpetrators of DV. An fMRI study was performed at baseline and at the end of the study to increase our understanding of how fluoxetine affects cortical and subcortical brain interactions. Genotyping of the serotonin transporter was performed to determine if the perpetrators' behavioral response to fluoxetine was related to their genotype. Participant accural has been completed. Results show a decrease in irritablity under both fluoxetine and abstinence. The efficacy of the treatment is supported by the reports from their spouse and significant others. The fMRI data is currently being processed and analyzed. The first manuscript is being prepared.