Aggression, hyperactivity and platelet imipramine binding

Abstract
We measured platelet 3H-imipramine binding parameters in 16 subjects affected by different types of mental deficiency, all characterized by hyperactive and/or aggressive behaviour, and in 16 healthy controls. The patients had a lower maximum binding capacity than the controls, with no difference in Kd, irrespectively of the type of mental disorder. These findings suggest a link between 5-HT disturbances, reflected by reduced imipramine binding sites, and behavioural dyscontrol, expressed as hyperactivity and aggression.