Scientists block aggression

Pathological rage can be blocked in mice by shutting down a specific receptor in the brain, report University of Southern California researchers who believe the finding could lead to new treatments for aggression and hostile overreactions to stress.

The study, appearing in the Journal of Neuroscience, explains how the researchers identified a critical neurological factor in aggression: a brain receptor that malfunctions in overly hostile mice. When the researchers shut down the brain receptor – which also exists in humans – the excess aggression completely disappeared.

The findings represent a significant breakthrough in the search for drug targets for pathological aggression; a component in many common psychological disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, autism, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

The new research builds on previous work that identified a specific genetic predisposition to pathological aggression: low levels of the enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAO A). Both male humans and mice with congenital deficiency of the enzyme respond violently in response to stress. “The same type of mutation that we study in mice is associated with criminal, very violent behavior in humans. But we really didn’t understand why that it is,” said Marco Bortolato, lead author of the study.

The researchers worked backwards to replicate elements of human pathological aggression in the mice, including not just low enzyme levels, but also the interaction of genetics with early stressful events such as trauma and neglect during childhood. “Low levels of MAO A are one basis of the predisposition to aggression in humans. The other is an encounter with maltreatment, and the combination of the two factors appears to be deadly: it results consistently in violence in adults,” Bortolato said.

The team found that in excessively aggressive rodents that lack MAO A, high levels of electrical stimulus are required to activate a specific brain receptor in the pre-frontal cortex. Even when this brain receptor does work, it stays active only for a short period of time.

“The fact that blocking this receptor moderates aggression is why this discovery has so much potential. It may have important applications in therapy,” Bortolato said. “Whatever the ways environment can persistently affect behaviour – and even personality over the long term – behavior is ultimately supported by biological mechanisms.”

Interestingly, the aggression receptor, known as NMDA, is also thought to play a key role in helping us make sense of multiple, coinciding streams of sensory information, according to Bortolato.

The researchers are now studying the potential side effects of drugs that reduce the activity of this receptor. “Our challenge now is to understand what pharmacological tools and what therapeutic regimens should be administered to stabilize the deficits of this receptor,” Bortolato said. “If we can manage that, this could truly be an important finding.”

Related:
Discuss this article in our forum
Trans fats and aggression: the Twinkie defense gets scientific
Experiments reveal aggression to be a “manhood-restoring tactic”
Aggression As Rewarding As Sex

Source: University of Southern California

, ,

Comments are closed.

2008 Jakks pacific Maximum Aggression Edge 12 inch #93832 Series 3 USED picture

2008 Jakks pacific Maximum Aggression Edge 12 inch #93832 Series 3 USED

$70.00



WWE VINYL AGGRESSION BRET HIT MAN HART RINGSIDE COLLECTIBLES EXCLUSIVE JAKKS picture

WWE VINYL AGGRESSION BRET HIT MAN HART RINGSIDE COLLECTIBLES EXCLUSIVE JAKKS

$38.24



1x4 Lebowski This Aggression Will Not Stand, Man Morale Patch Tactical ARMY picture

1x4 Lebowski This Aggression Will Not Stand, Man Morale Patch Tactical ARMY

$8.99



AGGRESSION FROM THE NORTH - North Vietnams Campaign over South Vietnam 1965 picture

AGGRESSION FROM THE NORTH - North Vietnams Campaign over South Vietnam 1965

$15.00



WWE MICRO AGGRESSION SERIES 11 with Ladder - Zack Ryder Curt Hawkins Hard New Original Packaging picture

WWE MICRO AGGRESSION SERIES 11 with Ladder - Zack Ryder Curt Hawkins Hard New Original Packaging

$24.14



IDW Ghostbusters #1-3 Displaced Aggression & The Other Side, Tainted Love NM Lot picture

IDW Ghostbusters #1-3 Displaced Aggression & The Other Side, Tainted Love NM Lot

$18.00



NICE KOREAN WAR CHINESE PLA RESIST AMERICA AGGRESSION AID KOREA BADGE MEDAL NKPA picture

NICE KOREAN WAR CHINESE PLA RESIST AMERICA AGGRESSION AID KOREA BADGE MEDAL NKPA

$99.99



Poster Tapestry Aggression Squid Girl Not picture

Poster Tapestry Aggression Squid Girl Not

$54.99



Raw Shaving RS10 Safety Razor - Aggressive Plate picture

Raw Shaving RS10 Safety Razor - Aggressive Plate

$1500.00



WWE Wrestling Deluxe Aggression Series 19 Shad Action Figure picture

WWE Wrestling Deluxe Aggression Series 19 Shad Action Figure

$49.99



Powered by WordPress. Designed by WooThemes