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Brain Sciences
Special Issues
Unraveling the Neurobiology and Neuromodulation of Aggression and Violence
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Unraveling the Neurobiology and Neuromodulation of Aggression and Violence

A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral Neuroscience".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 April 2024) | Viewed by 4353

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Kyle Gobrogge

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Undergraduate Program in Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
Interests: behavioral neuroscience
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aggression is a common behavior in the animal kingdom used to establish dominance, social hierarchy, and acquire resources. While aggression is important for survival, it can also lead to extreme violence in humans. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the biological mechanisms and neuropeptide pathways behind aggression in order to develop effective treatments. This Special Issue will feature experts in the field discussing their research on aggression across multiple animal species. The goal is to identify biomarkers, neuropeptides and their pathways, and neuronal subtypes to better understand aggression and develop targeted therapies to regulate it.

Dr. Kyle Gobrogge
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • aggression
  • violence
  • neurobiological therapies
  • optogenetics
  • DREADDs

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 771 KiB  
Article
The Androgen Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Shows a Greater Relationship with Impulsivity than Testosterone in a Healthy Male Sample
by Anton Aluja, Ferran Balada, Óscar García, Neus Aymamí and Luis F. García
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(6), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14060569 - 3 Jun 2024
Viewed by 641
Abstract
This study was designed to examine the relationships among the impulsivity construct as a personality trait, the dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and testosterone in a sample of 120 healthy middle-aged males (Mage = 44.39; SD = 12.88). The sum of the three BIS-11 [...] Read more.
This study was designed to examine the relationships among the impulsivity construct as a personality trait, the dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and testosterone in a sample of 120 healthy middle-aged males (Mage = 44.39; SD = 12.88). The sum of the three BIS-11 scales, the SR, and the five UPPS-P scales correlated with DHEA-S 0.23 (p < 0.006) and testosterone 0.19 (p < 0.04), controlling for age. Partial correlations showed that DHEA-S was significantly related to motor impulsivity (0.24; p < 0.008), Sensitivity to Reward (0.29; p < 0.002), Lack of Premeditation (0.26; p < 0.05), and, to a lesser extent, Sensation Seeking (0.19; p < 0.04) and Positive Urgency (0.19; p < 0.04). Testosterone correlated with attention impulsivity (0.18; p < 0.04), Sensation Seeking (0.18; p < 0.04), and Positive Urgency (0.22; p < 0.01). Sensitivity to Reward, Negative Urgency, and Positive Urgency were significant predictors of DHEA-S (R2 = 0.28), and Positive Urgency for testosterone (R2 = 0.09). Non-parametric LOESS graphical analyses for local regression allowed us to visualize the non-linear relationships between the impulsivity scales with the two androgens, including non-significant trends. We discuss the implications of these results for impulsive biological personality traits, the limitations of our analyses, and the possible development of future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unraveling the Neurobiology and Neuromodulation of Aggression and Violence)
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19 pages, 6911 KiB  
Article
Oxytocin Enhances Time-Dependent Responses in the Aggressive Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
by Madalina-Andreea Robea, Georgiana Oprea, Gabriel Plavan, Mircea Nicusor Nicoara, Ioannis Mavroudis, Vasile Burlui and Alin Ciobica
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(3), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14030203 - 22 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1354
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become one of the most well-known disorders encountered since early childhood among people. Nowadays, the main concerns are its high prevalence and the lack of proper therapeutic interventions. In this way, the necessity of using animal models that [...] Read more.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has become one of the most well-known disorders encountered since early childhood among people. Nowadays, the main concerns are its high prevalence and the lack of proper therapeutic interventions. In this way, the necessity of using animal models that can mimic some of the spectrum symptoms, besides deepening the mechanisms of occurrence, is undeniable. Oxytocin (OT) is often mentioned and linked to producing social domain improvements. The goal of the present study was to determine if different time exposures to OT can trigger distinct behavioral responses in zebrafish, potentially offering insights into autism therapy. To accomplish this goal, zebrafish were exposed to the same dose of OT (33.2 ng/mL OT) for one week but with different time frames, such as: continuous exposure for seven days, fifteen minutes per day for seven days, and every two days for the same amount of time. The behavior of the fish was recorded using the EthoVision XT 11.5 software, and each trial lasted four minutes. Specific parameters for locomotor activity and aggressive behavior were measured. Overall, zebrafish exposure to OT generated several improvements in locomotor activity and aggressive behavior. Moreover, the differences in the exposure period indicated that time is an important factor, showing that continuous exposure to OT was linked with better performance than exposure to the hormone every two days. At the same time, the most variable results were observed in the case of fish exposed every day to OT. Exposure to OT could lead to certain improvements in zebrafish behavior that can be time-sensitive. Nevertheless, further work is needed in order to investigate the mechanisms of action of OT in an ASD context. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unraveling the Neurobiology and Neuromodulation of Aggression and Violence)
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Review

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14 pages, 512 KiB  
Review
Aggression Unleashed: Neural Circuits from Scent to Brain
by Rhea Singh and Kyle Gobrogge
Brain Sci. 2024, 14(8), 794; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14080794 - 8 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1831
Abstract
Aggression is a fundamental behavior with essential roles in dominance assertion, resource acquisition, and self-defense across the animal kingdom. However, dysregulation of the aggression circuitry can have severe consequences in humans, leading to economic, emotional, and societal burdens. Previous inconsistencies in aggression research [...] Read more.
Aggression is a fundamental behavior with essential roles in dominance assertion, resource acquisition, and self-defense across the animal kingdom. However, dysregulation of the aggression circuitry can have severe consequences in humans, leading to economic, emotional, and societal burdens. Previous inconsistencies in aggression research have been due to limitations in techniques for studying these neurons at a high spatial resolution, resulting in an incomplete understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying aggression. Recent advancements in optogenetics, pharmacogenetics, single-cell RNA sequencing, and in vivo electrophysiology have provided new insights into this complex circuitry. This review aims to explore the aggression-provoking stimuli and their detection in rodents, particularly through the olfactory systems. Additionally, we will examine the core regions associated with aggression, their interactions, and their connection with the prefrontal cortex. We will also discuss the significance of top-down cognitive control systems in regulating atypical expressions of aggressive behavior. While the focus will primarily be on rodent circuitry, we will briefly touch upon the modulation of aggression in humans through the prefrontal cortex and discuss emerging therapeutic interventions that may benefit individuals with aggression disorders. This comprehensive understanding of the neural substrates of aggression will pave the way for the development of novel therapeutic strategies and clinical interventions. This approach contrasts with the broader perspective on neural mechanisms of aggression across species, aiming for a more focused analysis of specific pathways and their implications for therapeutic interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unraveling the Neurobiology and Neuromodulation of Aggression and Violence)
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