Objectives : Many studies have shown an association between serum lipid concentrations and psychologic characteristics. However, conflicting results have also been reported. This study was designed to find the relationship between serum lipid levels(c...
Objectives : Many studies have shown an association between serum lipid concentrations and psychologic characteristics. However, conflicting results have also been reported. This study was designed to find the relationship between serum lipid levels(cholesterol and triglycerides) and psychologic characteristics(impulsiveness, aggressiveness, depressiveness) in adolescents. Methods : Serum cholesterol concentration, serum triglycerides concentration, complete blood count, electrolytes, liver function test, and blood sugar level were measured by overnight fasting blood sampling and urinalysis was also conducted in 407 high school students. Impulsiveness level was measured by Barratt Impulsiveness Scale(BIS). Aggressiveness level was measured by Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory(BDHI). Depressiveness level was measured by Beck Depression Inventory(BDI). Serum cholesterol was measured by standard enzymatic assay and serum triglycerides was measured by Boehringer Mannheim method. Results : 1) Low cholesterol group(<15 percentile) were found to have significantly higher BIS score than high cholesterol group(>85 percentile) in female. Female low cholesterol group were also found to have significantly higher motor impulsivity score, a subscale of BIS, than high cholesterol group. 2) High triglycerides group(>85 percentile) were found to have significantly higher BDI score than low triglycerides group(<15 percentile) in male and female separately. Especially, male high triglycerides group were also found to have significantly higher BIS and motor impulsivity score than low triglycerides group. Conclusion : These results support the previous hypothesis that serum lipid levels(cholesterol and triglycerides) affect human psychologic characteristics.