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Novel Mechanisms Underlying Neuroendocrine Regulation of Aggression: A Synthesis of Rodent, Avian, and Primate Studies

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Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology

Abstract:

An import role for gonadal steroid hormones, particularly testosterone, in mediating aggressive behavior is well-established across vertebrate taxa. Due to the emphasis placed on testosterone much less is know regarding the potential role of other steroid and peptide hormones in the regulation of aggression. The idea that any single hormone mediates aggression, however, is overly simplistic. In fact, research over the last two decades or more have has suggested that aggression in a complex behavior that is regulated by a wide range of hormones in addition to testosterone. This chapter reviews several novel neuroendocrine mechanisms that have been recently identified as being implicated in the regulation of aggressive behavior. Specific focus is placed on studies conducted in rodents, birds and primates, as the majority of research in this area has focused on these groups of animals.

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Abbreviations

ACTH:

adrenocorticotropic hormone

ADHD:

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

AE:

androstenedione

ALLO:

allopregnanolone

AR:

androgen receptor

Aromatase:

cytochrome P450 aromatase

AVP:

arginine vasopressin

AVT:

arginine vasotocin

BERKO:

estrogen receptor β knock-out

BNST:

bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

CNS:

central nervous system

CORT:

cortisol

5α-DHT:

5α-dihydrotestosterone

DHEA-S:

dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate

DHEA:

dehydroepiandrosterone

E1 :

estrone

E2 :

17β-estradiol

ER:

estrogen receptor

ERKO:

estrogen receptor knock-out

GABA:

gamma-aminobutyric acid

17β-HSD:

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase

3β-HSD:

3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/isomerase

HP:

hippocampus

HPA:

hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal

LD:

light:dark

LH:

luteinizing hormone

MPOA:

medial preoptic area

N:

nidopallium

NCM:

caudomedial nidopallium

P450c17:

cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/C17,20 lyase

P450scc:

cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage

POA:

preoptic area

PREG:

pregnenolone

PROG:

progesterone

RA:

robust nucleus of the arcopallium

STI:

simulated territorial intrusion

T:

testosterone

Tn:

nucleus taeniae of the amygdala

TP:

testosterone propionate

VMN:

ventromedial nucleus

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. James Goodson, Dr. Michaela Hau, Melissa Scotti, and Amy Newman for helpful comments on the manuscript. This work was supported in part by NIH award NS10596, an HHMI Capstone award (G.E.D), NIH F32 award MH072085 (M.A.C), NIH award MH062641, and the STC program of the NSF (H.E.A) and NSERC, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, and Canada Foundation for Innovation (K.K.S).

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  1. G. E. Demas
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  2. M. A. Cooper
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  3. H. E. Albers
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  4. K. K. Soma
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Neurochemistry, Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, New York, 10962, USA

    Abel Lajtha (Director) (Director)

  2. Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts, 135 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA, 01003-9271, USA

    Jeffrey D. Blaustein

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Demas, G.E., Cooper, M.A., Albers, H.E., Soma, K.K. (2007). Novel Mechanisms Underlying Neuroendocrine Regulation of Aggression: A Synthesis of Rodent, Avian, and Primate Studies. In: Lajtha, A., Blaustein, J.D. (eds) Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-30405-2_8

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