0195168763
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With recent advances in pharmacology and genetic
manipulation techniques, new interest has
developed in the biological mechanisms of both
non-human and human aggression. Although
aggression is certainly a complex social
behavior with multiple causes, molecular
biological factors should not be overlooked, as
they may well lead to interventions that prevent
excess aggressive behaviors. The primary goal of
this book is to summarize and synthesize recent
advances in the biological study of aggression.
As most aggressive encounters among human and
non-human animals represent a male proclivity,
the research in this book describes and
discusses studies using the most appropriate
murine model: testosterone-dependent offensive
inter-male aggression, which is typically
measured in resident-intruder or
isolation-induced aggression tests. The research
also emphasizes various molecules that have been
linked to aggression tests. Although the
evidence continues to point to androgens and
serotonin (5-HT) as major hormonal and
neurotransmitter factors in aggressive behavior,
recent work with GABA, dopamine, vasopressin,
and other factors, such as nitric oxide, has
revealed significant interactions with the
neural circuitry underlying aggression. This
book is organized according to levels of
analysis. The first section examines the genetic
contributions to aggression in species ranging
from crustaceans to humans. The section
summarizes the involvement of various
neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in
aggressive behavior. The third section
summarizes the influence of hormones on
aggression, primarily in humans. All chapters
emphasize future directions for research on
aggression and reveal important domains that
have received comparatively less attention in this literature.