NO CORRELATION BETWEEN AGGRESSION AND PLATELET 3H-PAROXETINE BINDING IN OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER PATIENTS

Abstract

Different findings suggest that the serotonin (5-HT) sys-tem may be involved in both the regulation of aggres-sion and the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Our study aimed to evaluate the aggres-sive features of a group of OCD patients and to explore possible correlations with a serotonergic marker, namely platelet 5-HT transporter. Psychopathological and bio-logical patterns were compared with those of a group of healthy controls and those of patients with major depres-sion. Twenty-one patients affected by OCD, 21 by de-pression and 21 healthy controls were included in the study. Aggressive features were measured by means of the Buss and Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI). The platelet 5-HT transporter was evaluated by means of the 3H-paroxetine binding parameters (maximum binding capacity, Bmax and dissociation constant, Kd). OCD patients showed a total score on the BDHI not significant-ly different from that of healthy controls and lower than that of depressed patients. The factor profile was similar in the 3 groups, but higher in the depressed patients. The irritability, resentment, guilt, negativism and suspicious-ness factors were significantly more pronounced in de-pressed patients. Some sex-related difference in single factors were also observed. The Bmax of 3H-paroxetine binding was lower in OCD patients than in depressives or healthy controls. OCD patients were more similar to healthy controls than to depressed patients with regard to aggressive features measured by means of the BDHI. These results suggest that aggression in OCD is a complex phenomenon that probably requires specific instruments of evaluation.