Personality correlates of +/- pindolol induced decreases in prolactin

Pharmacopsychiatry. 1998 Jan;31(1):19-24. doi: 10.1055/s-2007-979290.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate if personality traits can be usefully related to serotonergic vs. dopaminergic action of the 5-HT1a-antagonist +/- pindolol. Forty healthy male volunteers (aged between 20 and 30 years) were randomly assigned to a placebo or a +/- pindolol (30 mg, oral dose) group in a double blind trial. Blood samples were drawn and analyzed for PRL concentrations. In addition, the subjects completed questionnaires on personality. The results indicated that +/- pindolol decreases PRL concentrations depending on personality. While subjects high on impulsivity and related traits (aggression and disinhibition) show lower PRL decreases, well-being and personality traits frequently related to dopaminergic activity were not correlated with changes in PRL. Since reduced (blunted) PRL-responses after 5-HT challenge tests have been reported for impulsives, the present results favor the involvement of primarily serotonergic and probably only secondarily dopaminergic control of +/- pindolol induced PRL decreases.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / chemistry
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Adult
  • Aggression / drug effects
  • Aggression / physiology
  • Emotions / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior
  • Male
  • Personality / drug effects*
  • Personality Tests
  • Pindolol / chemistry
  • Pindolol / pharmacology*
  • Prolactin / blood
  • Serotonin Antagonists / chemistry
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Stereoisomerism

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Prolactin
  • Pindolol