Developmental Origins of Aggressive and Impulsive Behavior

Summary

This research project investigates the developmental origins of aggressive and impulsive behavior, focusing on how dopamine and serotonin signaling during development tune dopamine input into the lateral septum (LS) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) to impact aggression-related behaviors in adulthood.

What they want

The project aims to study the overarching hypothesis that developmental DA and 5-HT signaling tunes DA input into the LS and NAc to impact aggression-related behaviors in adulthood. Aim 1 investigates the causal role of dopamine input into the nucleus accumbens in aggression-related behavior, specifically proactive aggression. Aim 2 tests the hypothesis that D2 receptors of the lateral septum contribute to sexual dimorphic differences in aggressive behavior. Aim 3 investigates the causal role of serotonin input into the lateral septum and nucleus accumbens in aggression-related behavior. Aim 4 investigates if permanently altered DAergic input into the LS and NAc drives aggression phenotypes after dopamine and serotonin transporter blockade during development.

Deliverables

Advance understanding of normal and disrupted brain development and function
Impact understanding of human risk factors for maladaptive aggression and dopamine dysfunction
Inform clinical and epidemiological studies
Improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment strategies for in psychiatry

Technical requirements

Monitoring pathway-specific dopaminergic activity during behavior
Optogenetic rescue experiments