[Seminar] Exploring the neurobiological mechanisms of aggression escalation in mice

Abstract:

Social stress can lead to various psychological issues, ranging from exaggerated anxiety and depression to antisocial and violent behaviors. Violent incidents are often triggered by social instigation and frustration. In many animal species, from fish to rodents, social instigation by rivals has been shown to escalate aggressive behavior. We identified part of the neural circuitry responsible for the increase in aggressive behavior by social instigation. Specifically, we observed an increase in excitatory glutamatergic input to the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), the primary source of central serotonin, during the social instigation. The DRN receives glutamatergic projections from multiple brain areas, including the prefrontal cortex, lateral habenula (LHb), and hypothalamus. Our recent findings indicate that glutamatergic projections from the LHb to the DRN contribute to heightened aggressive behavior in male mice. Additionally, we found that modulation of the DRN by the cytokine interleukin 1β (IL-1β) influences intermale aggression. These findings suggest that the DRN serves as a hub region connecting the peripheral signals and the central nervous system that influences aggressive behavior. This presentation will explore the social factors promoting aggressive arousal and the underlying neurobiological mechanisms, including neural circuits, microglia, and gut microbiota. I will also discuss our efforts to investigate sex differences in aggression escalation.

Speaker: Aki Takahashi, Laboratory of Behavioral Neurobiology, Institute of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan

Language: English, no interpretation