Research Studies and Papers HRI’s Work with Aggressive Behavior

Almost nightly, we are accosted with news stories of violent acts, as well as television and movie depictions of violence. We see the devastating effect of violence on individuals, victims and perpetrators alike, their families and entire communities. What is more dismaying than the acts themselves is how frequently the perpetrators are youth, often with little remorse for their actions. Puzzled, we are left to ask some very difficult questions: Why is violence increasing at such a rapid rate? Why are violent perpetrators ever younger? What motivates someone to commit a violent crime? What can we do to reverse the rise in violence, especially in our youth, who represent the future? 

There is little debating that juvenile violence has been on the rise. From 1988 to 1997, the case rate (rate per 1,000 youth) for person offenses committed by juveniles increased 74%. During this same time, the actual case load saw a 97% increase. From 1993 to 1997 alone, the case rate and case load has increased 16% and 22%, respectively. However, the causes of violence, particularly in youth, are hotly debated and views on which strategies should be used to reduce violence are divided. One consideration is critical; we as a society need to continue to search for causes and factors that contribute to violence in order to understand and intervene where we can.

The medical world has long believed that behavior disorders (ranging for mild temper tantrums to assaultive rages) result from life experiences, such as lack of love, bad parenting, child abuse, broken homes, and poverty. However, over the past decade, scientific research has shown that imbalances in neurotransmitters, their precursors and other biochemicals can significantly contribute to severe behavior disorders and violence.

Several neurotransmitters, amino acids and hormones, such as epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and cortisol, have emerged as important regulators of aggressive behavior Enrique S. Garza-Trevino, M.D. conducted an extensive review of clinical research correlating various types of biological factors to aggression. Notably, he found that increased levels of dopamine and decreased levels of serotonin in the brain were found to be linked to violent behavior. Dr. Garza-Trevino summarizes his analysis by saying, "Identification of biochemical markers that can be used in predicting patients’ response to… interventions may be the next step in developing more rational treatment of violent patients." Research such as this suggests a definite biological link to violence and promises new discoveries that can lead to innovative treatment for violence.

As far back as the 1970s, Dr. William Walsh and others initiated research on the violent behavior of convicted criminals at Statesville Penitentiary in Illinois. They noticed that there were many cases where convicted criminals had tried various avenues to obtain help and treatment for their violent behavior, which often started at very early ages. The researchers studied scientific literature and talked with professionals, but at that time most effort in the fields of mental health or criminology and reform was yielding few promising conclusions. Exciting news came about the work being conducted by Dr. Carl Pfeiffer of Princeton, New Jersey, involving nutrient therapies to correct biochemical imbalances in individuals with schizophrenia. Walsh met and talked with Pfeiffer, who became very interested in their research and encouraged them to continue. 

The first definitive results came with a sibling experiment, which tested 24 pairs of brothers living in the same households¹. In each sibling pair, one brother had a violent history and the other was an "all-American" boy with excellent behavior. The results showed two distinctive trace-metal patterns in the violent youths, which were not present in their normal brothers. Further studies replicated these results. The conclusion was clear: Most violent children and adults exhibited trace-metal imbalances seldom found in persons with normal behavior. Subsequently, HRI has been involved in testing more than 700 criminals and ex-convicts, and assisted in 30 forensic cases providing much of the early basis for the correlation between violent behavior and body chemistry.

This work led to the establishment of the Health Research Institute (HRI), a private non-profit 501c(3) organization, in 1983, and the Pfeiffer Treatment Center (PTC) in 1989. Before his death in 1988, Pfeiffer worked extensively with HRI to share his work and knowledge about the connections between body chemistry and mental health. The treatment center is named in honor of Dr. Carl Pfeiffer and continues to carry on his work in treating children with behavior disorders, as well as persons with violent tendencies, depression, and schizophrenia. The Pfeiffer Treatment Center has treated over 9,000 behavior-disordered patients. Based on outcome studies, the degree of success demonstrates significant improvement in 85% to 90% of compliant patients with symptoms typically associated with behavior problems and delinquency such as verbal tantrums, destructive behavior or assaultive behavior.

Research at HRI and PTC has demonstrated that most behavior-disordered children exhibit distinctive metal-metabolism imbalances that are relatively uncommon in the general population. Such imbalances have been found in equal incidence in Blacks, Hispanics, and persons of European descent. Stressful life experiences can aggravate behavior disorders, but the underlying cause appears to be unbalanced chemistry. At the far end of the biochemical spectrum, HRI’s forensic studies on almost 30 mass murderers, serial killers and death row inmates have shown these individuals to have extreme examples of these imbalances. Subjects tested include Charles Manson, James Oliver Huberty (convicted in the California McDonald’s massacre) and Patrick Sherrill (responsible for the Oklahoma Post Office slayings).

Several distinctive biochemical patterns present in individuals with behavior disorders and violent tendencies have been identified by HRI. For example, persons with a type A biochemistry are typified by episodic outbursts, but show remorse for their behavior after an outburst. Their body chemistry reveals: elevated serum copper, depressed plasma zinc, elevated copper/sodium ratio in hair, elevated blood lead, and abnormal blood histamine (being too high or low compared to normal levels). Persons with a type B biochemistry are known for frequent assaultive behavior and show little or no remorse for their behavior. Their body chemistry reveals: elevated blood histamine, elevated urine kryptopyrroles, low blood spermine, low plasma zinc, depressed copper/sodium ratio in hair, and elevated lead in blood and hair. Based on HRI’s studies, it has been shown that out of every 100 males, approximately 25% will test with type A or B biochemistry.

It is critical to identify biochemical imbalances early, before maladaptive behaviors have time to become fixed and re-enforced by negative circumstantial influences and peer pressure. Early intervention is also critical because treatment compliance becomes more difficult as children become adolescents, when they begin to develop more complex values, attitudes and relationships.

Treatment involves identification of chemical imbalances through a physical examination, medical history, and laboratory analyses of blood, urine, and hair tissue. This drug-free treatment involves the use of amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients delivered in a capsule form and taken orally to address the identified imbalances. Treatment programs are designed specifically for each individual’s biochemical make-up. Biochemical treatment for behavior disorders usually requires one to four months to achieve full effectiveness.