Hormones In Saliva Predict Aggression And Violence In Boys [View all]

Angry enough to spit??????????

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http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112810392/saliva-hormones-predict-aggression-in-boys-032613/

A simple saliva test could be an effective tool in predicting violent behavior, a new pilot study led by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center indicates.

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Drew Barzman, MD, a child and adolescent forensic psychiatrist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and his team focused on a common problem in psychiatric units: the rapid, real-time assessment of violence among child and adolescent patients. Barzman sees other possible applications for a fast and accurate saliva test, as well as predicting violence.

“We believe salivary hormone testing has the potential to help doctors monitor which treatments are working best for their patients,” said Barzman. “And because mental health professionals are far more likely to be assaulted on the job than the average worker, it could offer a quick way to anticipate violent behavior in child psychiatric units. Eventually, we hope this testing might also provide a tool to help improve safety in schools.”