Archief Roodbont

Twin,
adoption, and family studies all suggest a genetic influence
underlying aggression (5), with heritability estimates for dimensional
measures of aggression ranging from 44% to
72% in adults. Ametaanalysis of more than 20 twin studies
confirmed a substantial role for a genetic influence underlying
aggression (6). Although behavioral genetic studies to
date have not attempted to distinguish among aggression
subtypes, impulsive aggression appears to be quite distinct
from premeditated aggression. Overall, the recurring theme
emerging from more than 20 years of empiric research is
that ‘‘impulsive aggression’’ demonstrates the most consistent
and noteworthy findings with respect to both biological
correlates (7,8) and psychopharmacologic treatment (9,10).
Biological factors include a variety of neurotransmitter and
neuromodulator systems. Most data involve the central serotonin
(5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) system, although
limited data is now emerging for a role for other central
systems involving catecholamines, steroids, neuropeptides,
and cholesterol and fatty acids. This chapter reviews the
neuropsychopharmacologic data relevant to these systems
and concludes with a discussion of the psychopharmacology
of aggression.