Cholesterol and violent behavior.

Abstract

Despite significant decreases [corrected] in the incidence of myocardial infarction, reduction of total mortality as a result of cholesterol-lowering programs has not been demonstrated. This puzzling outcome has led to several hypotheses linking cholesterol levels and mortality due to accidents, suicide, and homicide. We review the proposed explanations for increased mortality due to violent deaths. We discuss the available evidence and conclude that while there are some intriguing findings based on the well-established relationship between violent behavior and serotonin activity, the necessary link between cholesterol, serotonin, and violence has not been demonstrated. The complexity of the observed violent behaviors and their multiple determinants defies a simple explanation at the present time.