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Bashford-Largo J, Blair RJR, Blair KS, Dobbertin M, Elowsky J, Dominguez A, Hatch M, Bajaj S. Cortical volume alterations in the limbic network in adolescents with high reactive aggression. Dev Psychopathol 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38584251 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579424000750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Previous studies show aggression-related structural alterations in frontal and limbic brain regions. Most studies have focused on overall aggression, instead of its subtypes, and on specific regions instead of networks. This study aims to identify both brain networks and regions that are associated with reactive and proactive subtypes of aggression. Structural MRI data were collected from 340 adolescents (125 F/215 M) with a mean age of 16.29 (SD = 1.20). Aggression symptomology was indexed via the Reactive Proactive Aggression Questionnaire (RPQ). Freesurfer was used to estimate Cortical Volume (CV) from seven networks and regions within specific networks associated with aggression. Two multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVAs) were conducted on groups for low versus higher reactive and proactive RPQ scores. Our reactive aggression MANCOVA showed a main effect in CV [F(14,321) = 1.935, p = 0.022,ηp2 = 0.078] across all the 7-Networks. Unpacking this main effect revealed significant volumetric differences in the right Limbic Network (LN) (p = 0.029) and the Temporal Pole (p = 0.011), where adolescents in the higher reactive aggression group showed higher cortical volumes. Such findings are consistent with region/voxel-specific analyses that have associated atypical structure within the LN and reactive aggression. Moreover, the temporal pole is highly interconnected with regions important in the regulation and initiation of reactive aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannah Bashford-Largo
- Child and Family Translational Research Center, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- Center for Brain, Biology and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - R James R Blair
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karina S Blair
- Child and Family Translational Research Center, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Matthew Dobbertin
- Child and Family Translational Research Center, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Center, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Jaimie Elowsky
- Clinical Psychology Department, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Ahria Dominguez
- Clinical Health, Emotion, and Neuroscience (CHEN) Laboratory, Department of Neurological Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Melissa Hatch
- Mind and Brain Health Laboratories (MBHL), Department of Neurological Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sahil Bajaj
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, MD Anderson Center, University of Texas, Houston, TX, USA
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Kanarik M, Sakala K, Matrov D, Kaart T, Roy A, Ziegler GC, Veidebaum T, Lesch KP, Harro J. MAOA methylation is associated with impulsive and antisocial behaviour: dependence on allelic variation, family environment and diet. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2024; 131:59-71. [PMID: 37507512 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02675-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Congenital absence of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) activity predisposes to antisocial impulsive behaviour, and the MAOA uVNTR low-expressing genotype (MAOA-L) together with childhood maltreatment is associated with similar phenotypes in males. A possible explanation of how family environment may lead to such behaviour involves DNA methylation. We have assessed MAOA methylation and impulsive/antisocial behaviour in 121 males from the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study. Of the 12 CpG sites measured, methylation levels at the locus designated CpG3 were significantly lower in subjects with antisocial behaviour involving police contact. CpG3 methylation was lower in subjects with alcohol use disorder by age 25, but only in MAOA-H genotype. No correlation between MAOA CpG3 methylation levels and adaptive impulsivity was found at age 15, but in MAOA-L genotype a positive correlation appeared by age 18. By age 25, this positive correlation was no longer observed in subjects with better family relationships but had increased further with experience of adversity within the family. MAOA CpG3 methylation had different developmental dynamics in relation to maladaptive impulsivity. At age 18, a positive correlation was observed in MAOA-L genotype with inferior family relationships and a negative correlation was found in MAOA-H with superior home environment; both of these associations had disappeared by age 25. CpG3 methylation was associated with dietary intake of several micronutrients, most notable was a negative correlation with the intake of zinc, but also with calcium, potassium and vitamin E; a positive correlation was found with intake of phosphorus. In conclusion, MAOA CpG3 methylation is related to both maladaptive and adaptive impulsivity in adolescence in MAOA-L males from adverse home environment. By young adulthood, this relationship with maladaptive impulsivity had disappeared but with adaptive impulsivity strengthened. Thus, MAOA CpG3 methylation may serve as a marker for adaptive developmental neuroplasticity in MAOA-L genotype. The mechanisms involved may include dietary factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margus Kanarik
- Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A Chemicum, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Katre Sakala
- National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
- School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
- Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Denis Matrov
- Section on Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tanel Kaart
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Arunima Roy
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Georg C Ziegler
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | | | - Klaus-Peter Lesch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Center of Mental Health, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jaanus Harro
- Division of Neuropsychopharmacology, Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Tartu, Ravila 14A Chemicum, 50411, Tartu, Estonia.
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Casula A, Milazzo BM, Martino G, Sergi A, Lucifora C, Tomaiuolo F, Quartarone A, Nitsche MA, Vicario CM. Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation for the Modulation of Aggressive Behavior-A Systematic Review of Randomized Sham-Controlled Studies. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051220. [PMID: 37240865 DOI: 10.3390/life13051220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRO Aggressive behavior represents a significant public health issue, with relevant social, political, and security implications. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques may modulate aggressive behavior through stimulation of the prefrontal cortex. AIMS To review research on the effectiveness of NIBS to alter aggression, discuss the main findings and potential limitations, consider the specifics of the techniques and protocols employed, and discuss clinical implications. METHODS A systematic review of the literature available in the PubMed database was carried out, and 17 randomized sham-controlled studies investigating the effectiveness of NIBS techniques on aggression were included. Exclusion criteria included reviews, meta-analyses, and articles not referring to the subject of interest or not addressing cognitive and emotional modulation aims. CONCLUSIONS The reviewed data provide promising evidence for the beneficial effects of tDCS, conventional rTMS, and cTBS on aggression in healthy adults, forensic, and clinical samples. The specific stimulation target is a key factor for the success of stimulation on aggression modulation. rTMS and cTBS showed opposite effects on aggression compared with tDCS. However, due to the heterogeneity of stimulation protocols, experimental designs, and samples, we cannot exclude other factors that may play a confounding role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony Casula
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e Degli Studi Culturali, Università di Messina, 98121 Messina, Italy
| | - Bianca M Milazzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e Degli Studi Culturali, Università di Messina, 98121 Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriella Martino
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Clinica Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Messina, A.O.U. "G. Martino", Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sergi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Chiara Lucifora
- Dipartimento di Filosofia e Comunicazione, Università di Bologna, 40131 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Tomaiuolo
- Dipartimento di Medicina e Clinica Sperimentale, Università degli Studi di Messina, A.O.U. "G. Martino", Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | | | - Michael A Nitsche
- Department of Psychology and Neurosciences, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, 44139 Dortmund, Germany
- University Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy and University Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Protestant Hospital of Bethel Foundation, University Hospital OWL, Bielefeld University, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Carmelo M Vicario
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cognitive, Psicologiche, Pedagogiche e Degli Studi Culturali, Università di Messina, 98121 Messina, Italy
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Sakala K, Katus U, Kiive E, Veidebaum T, Harro J. Is low platelet MAO activity associated with antisocial behavior? evidence from representative samples of longitudinally observed birth cohorts. Brain Res 2023; 1804:148249. [PMID: 36682705 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Lower platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity has been associated with problem behaviors, including criminal behavior, but not all studies agree. We have examined platelet MAO activity and antisocial behavior involving police contact in a longitudinal birth cohort study. The sample included both birth cohorts (original n = 1238) of the Estonian Children Personality Behavior and Health Study. Platelet MAO activity was measured at ages 15, 18 and 25 radioenzymatically with β-phenylethylamine as the substrate. Police contacts were self-reported in an interview and drug use in a questionnaire filled in during a laboratory visit. In cross-sectional analyses, males with the record of antisocial behavior had lower platelet MAO activity. In longitudinal mixed-effect regression models, this association was found to be independent of smoking. Furthermore, including smoking in the model revealed lower platelet MAO activity also in females with past antisocial behaviour. A further exploratory regression analysis with antisocial behavior at two levels of frequency and consideration of self-reported use of illicit drugs either in a single occasion or repeatedly demonstrated some "dose-dependency" in the relationship of antisocial behavior and platelet MAO activity. Platelet MAO activity was lower in male but not female subjects with basic education level as compared to secondary and higher education, but it was not related to non-verbal intelligence. Neither was platelet MAO activity associated with socio- economic status. In conclusion, antisocial behavior as occurring in general population is associated with low platelet MAO activity that probably reflects low capacity of the serotonergic system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katre Sakala
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia; Department of Chronic Diseases, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia; School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Urmeli Katus
- Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | - Evelyn Kiive
- Division of Special Education, Department of Education, University of Tartu, Estonia
| | - Toomas Veidebaum
- Department of Chronic Diseases, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jaanus Harro
- School of Natural Sciences and Health, Tallinn University, Tallinn, Estonia; Chair of Neuropsychopharmacology, Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
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Haller J. Aggression, Aggression-Related Psychopathologies and Their Models. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:936105. [PMID: 35860723 PMCID: PMC9289268 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.936105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural mechanisms of aggression and violence are often studied in the laboratory by means of animal models. A multitude of such models were developed over the last decades, which, however, were rarely if ever compared systematically from a psychopathological perspective. By overviewing the main models, I show here that the classical ones exploited the natural tendency of animals to defend their territory, to fight for social rank, to defend themselves from imminent dangers and to defend their pups. All these forms of aggression are functional and adaptive; consequently, not necessarily appropriate for modeling non-natural states, e.g., aggression-related psychopathologies. A number of more psychopathology-oriented models were also developed over the last two decades, which were based on the etiological factors of aggression-related mental disorders. When animals were exposed to such factors, their aggressiveness suffered durable changes, which were deviant in the meaning that they broke the evolutionarily conserved rules that minimize the dangers associated with aggression. Changes in aggression were associated with a series of dysfunctions that affected other domains of functioning, like with aggression-related disorders where aggression is just one of the symptoms. The comparative overview of such models suggests that while the approach still suffers from a series of deficits, they hold the important potential of extending our knowledge on aggression control over the pathological domain of this behavior.
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Associations between Omega-3 Index, Dopaminergic Genetic Variants and Aggressive and Metacognitive Traits: A Study in Adult Male Prisoners. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14071379. [PMID: 35405990 PMCID: PMC9002862 DOI: 10.3390/nu14071379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) are critical for cell membrane structure and function. Human beings have a limited ability to synthesise docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the main n-3 LCPUFA required for neurological development. Inadequate levels of n-3 LCPUFA can affect the dopaminergic system in the brain and, when combined with genetic and other factors, increase the risk of developing aggression, inattention and impulse-control disorders. In this study, male prisoners were administered questionnaires assessing aggressive behaviour and executive functions. Participants also produced blood sampling for the measurement of the Omega-3 Index and the genotyping of dopaminergic genetic variants. Significant associations were found between functional genetic polymorphism in DBH rs1611115 and verbal aggression and between DRD2 rs4274224 and executive functions. However, the Omega-3 Index was not significantly associated with the tested dopaminergic polymorphisms. Although previous interactions between specific genotypes and n-3 LCPUFA were previously reported, they remain limited and poorly understood. We did not find any association between n-3 LCPUFA and dopaminergic polymorphisms in adult male prisoners; however, we confirmed the importance of genetic predisposition for dopaminergic genes (DBH and DRD2) in aggressive behaviour, memory dysfunction and attention-deficit disorder.
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Dimensions of Pathological Aggression: From Neurobiology to Therapy. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030347. [PMID: 35326303 PMCID: PMC8945902 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
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