Androgens and aggression in man: A controlled case study

Abstract

A controlled case study is reported of the behavioural effects of androgen treatment in an institutionalised hypogonadal mentally retarded male patient. This man was previously treated with intramuscular depot injections of testosterone esters; however, treatment had to be stopped as the androgens allegedly precipitated frequent bouts of violent behaviour. Using ratings of behaviour by hostel staff, replacement therapy was restarted using the new orally effective androgen, testosterone undecanoate (TU). Gradually increasing the replacement dose of TU in a double‐blind fashion resulted in no stimulatory effect on aggressive behaviour. Possible reasons for the differential behavioural response to the two androgen preparations are presented.

Psychiatric effects of androgenic and anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse in men: a brief review of the literature

“…Although clearly established in animals, the relationship between testosterone levels and aggression becomes less clear as one ascends the phylogenetic scale (O'Carroll and Bancroft, 1985). The more complex an animal's behaviour patterns, the greater the difficulty in defining which behaviours constitute 'aggressive behaviour'.…”

Psychiatric effects of androgenic and anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse in men: a brief review of the literature

“…Although clearly established in animals, the relationship between testosterone levels and aggression becomes less clear as one ascends the phylogenetic scale (O'Carroll and Bancroft, 1985). The more complex an animal's behaviour patterns, the greater the difficulty in defining which behaviours constitute 'aggressive behaviour'.…”

Psychiatric effects of androgenic and anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse in men: a brief review of the literature

“…Although clearly established in animals, the relationship between testosterone levels and aggression becomes less clear as one ascends the phylogenetic scale (O'Carroll and Bancroft, 1985). The more complex an animal's behaviour patterns, the greater the difficulty in defining which behaviours constitute 'aggressive behaviour'.…”

Psychiatric effects of androgenic and anabolic-androgenic steroid abuse in men: a brief review of the literature

“…Although clearly established in animals, the relationship between testosterone levels and aggression becomes less clear as one ascends the phylogenetic scale (O'Carroll and Bancroft, 1985). The more complex an animal's behaviour patterns, the greater the difficulty in defining which behaviours constitute 'aggressive behaviour'.…”