Abstract

Domestic violence is a major problem affecting society. Results from our research show that individuals who are physically abusive to their significant other frequently experience a hyperaroused state at the time of the violent act which is characterized by increased motor activity, heightened autonomic nervous system activity and accompanied by feelings of """"""""being out of control"""""""". This hyperaroused state is similar to that which occurs in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Since PTSD has been associated with changes in noradrenergic function, (1) we postulate that subjects who lose control and are physically violent may also have abnormal noradrenergic function. To test this hypothesis, we have designed a study which compares the behavioral and biochemical effects resulting from the administration of the alpha-2 antagonist, yohimbine between a group of patients who lose control and are physically violent and comparison subjects.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Intramural Research (Z01)
Project #
1Z01AA000094-02
Application #
6160358
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (LCS)
Project Start
Project End
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
State
Country
United States
Zip Code

  Publications

Brown, Amira K; George, David T; Fujita, Masahiro et al. (2007) PET [11C]DASB imaging of serotonin transporters in patients with alcoholism. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 31:28-32
George, David T; Phillips, Monte J; Doty, Linda et al. (2006) A model linking biology, behavior and psychiatric diagnoses in perpetrators of domestic violence. Med Hypotheses 67:345-53
Umhau, J C; Dauphinais, K M; Patel, S H et al. (2006) The relationship between folate and docosahexaenoic acid in men. Eur J Clin Nutr 60:352-7
Hibbeln, Joseph R; Bissette, Garth; Umhau, John C et al. (2004) Omega-3 status and cerebrospinal fluid corticotrophin releasing hormone in perpetrators of domestic violence. Biol Psychiatry 56:895-7
George, David T; Rawlings, Robert R; Williams, Wendol A et al. (2004) A select group of perpetrators of domestic violence: evidence of decreased metabolism in the right hypothalamus and reduced relationships between cortical/subcortical brain structures in position emission tomography. Psychiatry Res 130:11-25
Umhau, John C; George, David T; Reed, Shawn et al. (2002) Atypical autonomic regulation in perpetrators of violent domestic abuse. Psychophysiology 39:117-23
George, D T; Umhau, J C; Phillips, M J et al. (2001) Serotonin, testosterone and alcohol in the etiology of domestic violence. Psychiatry Res 104:27-37
Hibbeln, J R; Umhau, J C; George, D T et al. (2000) Plasma total cholesterol concentrations do not predict cerebrospinal fluid neurotransmitter metabolites: implications for the biophysical role of highly unsaturated fatty acids. Am J Clin Nutr 71:331S-8S
George, D T; Hibbeln, J R; Ragan, P W et al. (2000) Lactate-induced rage and panic in a select group of subjects who perpetrate acts of domestic violence. Biol Psychiatry 47:804-12
Heinz, A; Weingartner, H; George, D et al. (1999) Severity of depression in abstinent alcoholics is associated with monoamine metabolites and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate concentrations. Psychiatry Res 89:97-106