leptin and Disruptive--Impulse-Control--and-Conduct-Disorders

Earlier studies have linked lipid metabolism to suicide and impulsive-aggressive behaviors. We previously reported that suicide attempters had significantly lower leptin and cholesterol levels than controls. Since lower cholesterol levels have been related to violence alone, we decided to evaluate serum total cholesterol and leptin levels in violent and non-violent suicide attempters. In the present study, 19 violent, 16 non-violent suicide attempters, and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were compared for serum total cholesterol and leptin levels. Violent suicide attempters had significantly lower total cholesterol and leptin levels compared with those with non-violent suicide attempts. Our results suggest that low serum cholesterol and leptin levels are related to the following two dimensions of suicide attempts: suicidality and violence.

Topics: Adult; Aggression; Cholesterol; Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders; Female; Humans; Leptin; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Suicide, Attempted; Violence

Leptin has been shown to regulate food intake and energy expenditure. Because leptin acts via regulation of appetite, we studied the hypothesis that suggests leptin modulates craving for alcohol as well.. We studied leptin plasma concentrations (RIA) both in alcoholic subjects during inpatient detoxification (day 1: n = 78, day 14: n = 60) and in healthy control subjects (n = 30). To rule out interference with the activation of the HPA axis during alcohol withdrawal, we also evaluated cortisol plasma levels (RIA).. We found plasma leptin and cortisol elevated at onset of withdrawal, decreasing significantly up to day 14. Leptin (and the body-mass corrected ratio leptin/BMI) was highly correlated with self-rated craving. No correlations of craving with cortisol and BMI were observed.. We suggest that leptin may modulate withdrawal-induced craving in alcoholic subjects.

Topics: Adult; Alcoholism; Body Mass Index; Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders; Ethanol; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Inactivation, Metabolic; Leptin; Male; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Radioimmunoassay; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome