Neural networks underlying trait aggression depend on MAOA gene alleles

Klasen, Martin; Wolf, Dhana; Eisner, Patrick; Habel, Ute; Repple, Jonathan; Vernaleken, Ingo; Schlüter, Thorben; Eggermann, Thomas; Zerres, Klaus; Zepf, Florian Daniel; Mathiak, Klaus

doi:10.1007/s00429-017-1528-6

Cited by 23 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Reduced coupling of the SMG with the amygdala after ATD is also in line with findings from neuroimaging genetics, showing that the role of the SMG in aggression-related networks depends on genes influencing serotonin transmission. Specifically, a coupling of the SMG with limbic areas seems to counteract aggressive impulses (Klasen et al, 2018). Reduced connectivity between SMG and amygdala may thus be a neurobiological substrate of increased aggression after ATD (Bjork et al, 1999; Kötting et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An established neurobiological model proposes a reduced amygdala regulation due to a blunted serotonergic system as a neurobiological endophenotype in these risk allele carriers (Buckholtz et al, 2008). Recent findings show that trait aggression networks vary as a function of MAOA genotype (Klasen et al, 2018), but the role of serotonin in this brain-behavior relationship is still a matter of debate.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Serotonergic Contributions to Human Brain Aggression Networks

et al. 2019

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Aggressive behavior is associated with dysfunctional frontolimbic emotion regulation circuits. Recent findings suggest serotonin as a primary transmitter for prefrontal amygdala control. However, the association between serotonin levels, amygdala regulation, and aggression is still a matter of debate. Neurobehavioral models furthermore suggest a possible mediating influence of the monoamine oxidase A gene ( MAOA ) on this brain-behavior relationship, with carriers of low expressing allele varieties being a risk group for aggression. In the present study, we investigated the influence of brain serotonin modulation and MAOA genotype on functional amygdala connectivity during aggressive behavior. Modulation of serotonergic neurotransmission with acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) and placebo were administered in a double-blind, cross-over design in 38 healthy male participants. Aggressive behavior was modeled in a violent video game during simultaneous assessment of brain activation with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Trait aggression was measured with the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BP-AQ), and MAOA genotypes were assessed from blood samples. Voxel-wise functional connectivity with anatomically defined amygdala was calculated from the functional data. Tryptophan depletion with ATD reduced aggression-specific amygdala connectivity with bilateral supramarginal gyrus. Moreover, ATD impact was associated with trait aggression and MAOA genotype in prefrontal cortex regions. In summary, serotonergic corticolimbic projections contribute to aggressive behavior. Genotype-specific vulnerability of frontolimbic projections may underlie the elevated risk in low expressing allele carriers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serotonergic Contributions to Human Brain Aggression Networks

et al. 2019

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“…One of these studies concluded that Monoamine oxidase A-L (MAOA-L) carriers (in comparison with MAOA-H carriers) showed that a higher RSFC between the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and the right angular gyrus (AG), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, was related to higher aggression traits. Nevertheless, when the RSFC between the vmPFC and bilateral supramarginal gyrus was high, the aggressive traits were low [37]. The other study revealed that in participants with antisocial personality traits with the MAOA-L variant, high RSFC between the ventral striatal and angular gyrus was related to high proactive aggression [38].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Brain Resting-State Functional Connectivity Underlying Violence Proneness: Is It a Reliable Marker for Neurocriminology? A Systematic Review

Romero‐Martínez

González

Lila

et al. 2019

Behavioral Sciences

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Introduction: There is growing scientific interest in understanding the biological mechanisms affecting and/or underlying violent behaviors in order to develop effective treatment and prevention programs. In recent years, neuroscientific research has tried to demonstrate whether the intrinsic activity within the brain at rest in the absence of any external stimulation (resting-state functional connectivity; RSFC) could be employed as a reliable marker for several cognitive abilities and personality traits that are important in behavior regulation, particularly, proneness to violence. Aims: This review aims to highlight the association between the RSFC among specific brain structures and the predisposition to experiencing anger and/or responding to stressful and distressing situations with anger in several populations. Methods: The scientific literature was reviewed following the PRISMA quality criteria for reviews, using the following digital databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Psicodoc, and Dialnet. Results: The identification of 181 abstracts and retrieval of 34 full texts led to the inclusion of 17 papers. The results described in our study offer a better understanding of the brain networks that might explain the tendency to experience anger. The majority of the studies highlighted that diminished RSFC between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala might make people prone to reactive violence, but that it is also necessary to contemplate additional cortical (i.e., insula, gyrus [angular, supramarginal, temporal, fusiform, superior, and middle frontal], anterior and posterior cingulated cortex) and subcortical brain structures (i.e., hippocampus, cerebellum, ventral striatum, and nucleus centralis superior) in order to explain a phenomenon as complex as violence. Moreover, we also described the neural pathways that might underlie proactive violence and feelings of revenge, highlighting the RSFC between the OFC, ventral striatal, angular gyrus, mid-occipital cortex, and cerebellum. Conclusions. The results from this synthesis and critical analysis of RSFC findings in several populations offer guidelines for future research and for developing a more accurate model of proneness to violence, in order to create effective treatment and prevention programs.

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“…, 2017 ), in overcoming emotional egocentricity bias in social situations ( Silani et al. , 2013 ; Klasen et al. , 2018 ), and in functionally supporting empathy ( Shamay-Tsoory, 2011 ; Coll et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, dysfunctions of the temporal–parietal junction, which encompass the SMG, have been shown to contribute to aggressive behavior ( Harenski et al. , 2014 ; Klasen et al. , 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The personality dispositions and resting-state neural correlates associated with aggressive children

Xiao²,

Song³

et al. 2020

Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience

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Despite aggression being detrimental to children’s physical health, mental health, and social development, the dispositional and neurological antecedents of aggression in the child are poorly understood. Here we examined the relationship between trait aggression as measured by Buss and Warren’s Aggression Questionnaire and personality traits measured with Big Five Questionnaire-Children in 77 primary-school children, and recorded resting-state brain activity (fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations, fALFF) and functional connectivity (rsFC) using functional magnetic resonance imaging. The present results showed that trait aggression was negatively correlated with agreeableness and positively correlated with neuroticism. The brain analyses showed that children with a higher propensity for aggression had a lower fALFF mainly in the left superior temporal gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus, and left supramarginal gyrus. Physical and total aggression were negatively associated with rsFC between the right parahippocampal gyrus and the right putamen. Further analysis revealed that this rsFC could moderate the influence of neuroticism on total aggression. Moreover, the results suggest the presence of a sex difference in the neurodevelopmental mechanisms underlying aggression in middle childhood. Overall, our findings indicate that aggressive children have lower agreeableness and higher neuroticism, and the underlying neural systems are mainly implicated in social judgment and empathy.

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Neural networks underlying trait aggression depend on MAOA gene alleles

Cited by 23 publications

References 46 publications

Serotonergic Contributions to Human Brain Aggression Networks

Serotonergic Contributions to Human Brain Aggression Networks

The Brain Resting-State Functional Connectivity Underlying Violence Proneness: Is It a Reliable Marker for Neurocriminology? A Systematic Review

The personality dispositions and resting-state neural correlates associated with aggressive children

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