Neurosteroids dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate in individuals with personality disorders convicted of serious violent crimes.

Abstract

We studied blood serum levels of neurosteroids, dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulfate, in individuals with personality disorders convicted of serious violent crimes. The data were compared with that of a group of mentally and physically healthy persons convicted of acquisitive crimes, and with that of the control group. Significant increase in DHEA in both groups of convicts in comparison with the control was shown. The level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate remained unchanged. Increased dehydroepiandrosterone level in the convicted individuals with personality disorders is probably more associated with detention stress than directly with psychopathology or criminal aggression.