Serotonin and impulsive/ aggressive behavior in parolees with and without a history of violence

males only: p, 0.016) when compared to those with neither. These data raise the possibility that the central 5-HT abnormality reported in suicide attempters may be associated with self-directed aggression, whether manifested as SIB or suicide attempts, and not necessarily with suicidal intent nor the lethality of the attempt. Further study of the spectrum of self-directed aggression using covariant analysis to examine various characteristics of the behavior such as affective state, impulsivity, the degree of violence, and the number of episodes, may clarify the relationship of selfdirected aggression with diminished 5-HT activity.