Abstract
C-reactive protein (CRP), in the plasma, serves as a marker of systemic inflammation and has been shown to correlate with history of actual aggressive behavior, and as a personality trait of aggressive tendency, in human subjects. This pilot study was conducted to determine if plasma CRP levels are correlated with cerebrospinal fluid levels (CSF CRP) and if CSF CRP also correlates with aggression. If so, this would suggest a role for central inflammatory processes in human aggression. Both plasma and basal lumbar CSF samples were obtained from 17 subjects with DSM-5 personality disorder and assayed for CRP. Plasma and CSF CRP levels were correlated (r = 0.65, p = 0.005) and each correlated with aggression (Plasma: r = 0.53, p = 0.029; CSF: r = 0.84, p < 0.001). When considered simultaneously, CSF CRP, but not plasma CRP, uniquely correlated with aggression. No relationship was seen with other measures of psychopathology. These data suggest a positive relationship between central nervous system CRP and aggression in humans.
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Abbreviations
- BDHI:
-
Buss–Durkee Hostility Inventory
- BIS-11:
-
Barratt Impulsiveness Scale––11th version
- BMI:
-
Body mass index
- CRP:
-
C-reactive protein
- CSF:
-
Cerebrospinal fluid
- EPQ:
-
Eysenck Personality Questionnaire
- GAF:
-
Global assessment of function
- 5-HIAA:
-
5-Hydroxyindolacetic acid
- HVA:
-
Homovanillic acid
- LES:
-
Life experiences survey
- LHA:
-
Life history of aggression
- PD-NOS:
-
Personality disorder-not otherwise specified
- SES:
-
Socioeconomic status
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported in part by Grants from the National Institute of Mental Health: RO1 MH 66984, RO1 MH 60836; RO1 MH 63262) (Dr. Coccaro) and a Project Pilot Grant from the University of Colorado Denver (Dr. Coussons-Read).
Conflict of interest
Dr. Coccaro reports that he is on the Scientific Advisory Board of Azevan Pharmaceuticals., Inc. and that he has stock options in Azivan Pharmaceuticals, Inc., through this role. Dr. Lee reports that he has received a research grant from Azivan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Coussons-Read reports no real or apparent conflicts of interest.
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Coccaro, E.F., Lee, R. & Coussons-Read, M. Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma C-reactive protein and aggression in personality-disordered subjects: a pilot study. J Neural Transm 122, 321–326 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-014-1263-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-014-1263-6