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Pharmacopsychiatry 2008; 41(2): 60-65
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1004593
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Diminished Serotonergic Functioning in Hostile Children with ADHD: Tryptophan Depletion Increases Behavioural Inhibition

F. D. Zepf 1 , M. Holtmann 1 , C. Stadler 1 , L. Demisch 1 , M. Schmitt 1 , L. Wöckel 1 , F. Poustka 1
  • 1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, J.W. Goethe University of Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 25.07.2007 revised 14.10.2007

accepted 17.10.2007

Publication Date:
29 February 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction: Serotonergic (5-HT) functioning has been shown to account for a variety of behavioural characteristics, in particular aggressive and impulsive behaviour. This study explored the effects of rapid tryptophan depletion (RTD) and the ensuing reduction of brain 5-HT synthesis on behavioural inhibition in passive avoidance learning assessed in a computerized go/no-go task.

Methods: 22 male patients with an ICD-10 diagnosis of ADHD were administered RTD within an amino acid drink lacking tryptophan, the natural precursor of 5-HT, thus lowering the central nervous 5-HT synthesis rate in a placebo-controlled double-blind within-subject crossover-design. 4 hours after RTD/placebo intake the patients were subjected to a go/no-go task for assessment of behavioural inhibition.

Results: Highly hostile aggressive patients showed increased inhibition errors under RTD compared to placebo. Low hostile aggressive patients showed lower rates of inhibition errors and thus better performance under RTD compared to placebo.

Discussion: The data suggest that in ADHD levels of trait-aggressive characteristics influence the susceptibility to changed behavioural inhibition after an acute 5-HT dysfunction. The detected influence of 5-HT could also be relevant as regards behavioural inhibition being subject to a developmental change in 5-HT functioning.

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Correspondence

F.D. Zepf

Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychotherapy

J. W. Goethe-University

Deutschordenstr. 50/Building 92

60528 Frankfurt am Main

Germany

Phone: +49/69/6301 83 12 3

Fax: +49/69/6301 70 99

Email: F.Zepf@med.uni-frankfurt.de

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