Lower omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and lower docosahexaenoic acid in men with pedophilia.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett
; 27(6): 719-23, 2006 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17187003
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Previous studies have suggested that abnormalities in plasma phospholipid fatty acids may play a role in aggressive behavior. Recently, it was suggested that a dysfunctional serotonergic turnover in the brain may be involved in the etiopathology of pedophilia. Depletion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may cause alterations in the serotonergic system that may be related to pedophilia and aggression.METHODS:
This study examines the serum phospholipid n-3 and n-6 PUFA fractions in pedophilia. Twenty-seven pedophilic men and eighteen healthy volunteers participated in this study.RESULTS:
In pedophilia there was a significant depletion of the C226n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), total n-3 fractions and an increase in the total n-6/n-3 and C204n-6/C205n-3 (arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid) ratios. Using the NEO Personality Inventory, lower DHA in pedophiles is related to more impulsiveness and lower agreeableness (trust, altruism, straightforwardness, compliance) and conscientiousness (self-discipline).CONCLUSIONS:
The results of this study suggest that a depletion of the serum phospholipid n-3 higher unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) and, in particular, of DHA may take part in the pathophysiology of pedophilia. One hypothesis is that a depletion of n-3 HUFAs and DHA may cause alterations in the serotonergic turnover, which are related to impulse discontrol and aggression-hostility, behaviors which are associated with pedophilia.
Search on Google
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pedophilia
/
Fatty Acids, Omega-3
/
Docosahexaenoic Acids
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Neuro Endocrinol Lett
Year:
2006
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Belgium