Alcohol aggressive behavior

The molten carbonate fuel ceU uses eutectic blends of Hthium and potassium carbonates as the electrolyte. A special grade of Hthium carbonate is used in treatment of affective mental (mood) disorders, including clinical depression and bipolar disorders. Lithium has also been evaluated in treatment of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, alcoholism, and periodic aggressive behavior (56). 

Antipsychotic agents are also used for a diversity of other indications like hiccups, Tourette s syndrome, aggressive behavior in children and the elderly and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Some of them are also used in anesthesia as they can potentiate the sedative, analgesics or anesthetic effects of other agents. Antipsychotics which are mainly active by blocking dopamine activity have also an effect on chemoreceptor trigger zone and may therefore be used as anti-emetics. 

Although alcohol may cause relaxation at first, other effects—such as clumsiness, slurring of speech, and aggressive behavior—may follow continued drinking. The loss of inhibitions may lead to unprotected sex, which could in turn lead to AIDS, and/or unwanted pregnancy. 

Bond AJ, Silveira JC. The combination of alprazolam and alcohol on behavioral aggression. J Stud Alcohol 1993 ll(Suppl) 30-9. 

Severe neglect during infancy has been studied both in humans and in monkeys. Lasting behavioral consequences seen in lower order primates include impaired affective controls manifested by low frustration tolerance, lability and impulsive behavior, a predominance of aggressive behavior, a tendency to engage in self-mutilation behavior when under stress, and hyperingesting alcohol (characteristics closely resembling symptoms of severe personality disorder). See chapter 11. 

Stemming the drunk-driving problem seems to be a matter of sustained attention and action by law enforcement and citizens action groups. Drivers perceptions that arrest and conviction are likely consequences of drunk driving also are important. Alcohol s effects on sex and aggression are major topics of social interest and concern. To understand alcohol s association with aggressive behavior it is necessary to take into account characteristics of the aggressor and situational factors, only one of which is alcohol. 

Monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) seems to be the principal serotonin degrading enzyme. The gene is located on chromosome Xpll [77]. Recent reports have shown that a low activity genetic variant of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) is likely to be related to aggressive behavior, but only when paired with abusive experience in childhood. It also has been found that the low activity form of MAOA was associated with more adult symptoms of antisocial alcoholism than the high activity variant [113]. No studies related to autism have been carried out with this polymorphism (for more details see section 5 in Serotonergic innervations). 

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) is widely distributed in the CNS, subsuming a variety of functions including drive satiety, mood, aggression, anxiety, and compulsive and impulsive behaviors. It may be an important neurotransmitter in psychiatric symptoms commonly associated with PTSD such as aggression, obsessive/intrusive thoughts, alcohol and substance abuse, and suicidal behavior (Friedman, 1990). Suicidal behavior is known to be associated with both childhood maltreatment and low 5-HT functioning (Van der Kolk et ah, 1991 Benkelfat,... 

As intoxication increases, the person exhibits behavior similar to that displayed by a person intoxicated by alcohol. The person may be short-tempered, aggressive, and possibly violent. Other possible symptoms are impaired judgement and mood swings. 

Heimann and March (1996) reported about a 15-year-old with a long history of chronic, low grade depression who became manic after 1 month on sertraline. Her behaviors included physical aggression toward a peer, intoxication with alcohol, and sexual promiscuity. Behaviors such as this can, unfortunately, ruin a child s life. 

In common with other benzodiazepines, alprazolam produces additional impairment of performance when it is taken together with alcohol (33). The combination can also produce behavioral disturbance and aggression (13,34). 

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