Review on Selected Aggression Causes and the Role of Neurocognitive Science in the Diagnosis

Abstract

Aggression as a behavior is not always desirable, often ends in abandonment and/or euthanasia. However, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of unwanted aggression in domestic dogs. Aggression is not a fully understood phenomenon. In recent years, many studies have focused on the influence of diet and physiology (including the endocrine system) on the emergence of behavioral disorders. In particular, the emphasis was put on nutritional additives such as fatty acids, amino acids, and probiotics. In addition, the possibility of using neurocognition in the observation of abnormal behavior in dogs has also been discussed, which may allow for a more detailed determination of the basis of aggressive behavior in dogs. In this review, the concepts related to aggression and its potential causes have been gathered. In addition, the possible influence of diet and hormones on aggression in dogs has been discussed, as well as the application of neurocognition in the possibility of its diagnosis.

The danger of free-roaming dogs in peri urban settings: Two rabid dogs on rampage that bit 29 humans and 18 domestic animals in Wakiso and Luweero districts, Central Uganda

“…In coherence, the victims in this study supported the elimination of the free-roaming dogs by any means possible. Unfortunately, such measures are unsustainable, unethical (47,48) and may worsen the dog bites incidents (49,50). Hence, further studies are needed to propose alternative intervention measures to dissolve the existing tension between the humans and free-roaming dogs in Central Uganda.…”

Perspective Chapter: Neuropsychology of Aggression in Psychopathy and Sociopathy – Insights for the Treatment and Study of Antisocial Personality Disorder

“…The categories are as follows: fear-induced aggression-an act of aggression toward another animal when one feels cornered and unable to escape; maternal aggression-the mother acts aggressively toward a perceived source of threat to the safety of her young; inter-male aggression-males of the same species engage in aggressive behavior to compete for resources within a social dominance hierarchy (typically observed among chimpanzees and rodents) [13,14]; irritable aggression-an aggression response to an irritating (whatever that means) stimulus in the environment; sex-related aggression-an act of aggression precipitated by a sexual act, typically observed in humans and some animal populations; predatory aggression-an aggression act distinct from others in this multivariate model, where an attack response is inspired by viewing an object of prey in line of sight, typically observed in predatory animal populations; and territorial aggression-also known as the resident-intruder paradigm in animal studies [15], this aggression response is triggered when one animal (the intruder) enters into the established territory of another animal (the resident). Recent research has expanded upon these complex expressions of aggression in animal subjects [16][17][18].…”

The Impact of Early-Life Cecal Microbiota Transplantation on Social Stress and Injurious Behaviors in Egg-Laying Chickens

“…Aggression in chickens, as in most other species of social animals, is a highly complex social behavior. From an evolutionary viewpoint, aggression, as a natural part of an animal’s life, is essential for the animal to establish and maintain social status, to protect valuable resources (food and territory), and to reproduce successfully (survival, growth, breeding, and rearing offspring) [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. However, some forms of aggression in chickens, such as excessive aggression-related injurious behaviors, can be harmful, leading to devastating consequences with increased social stress, feather and body damage, and injury (leading to cannibalism) [ 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”