Interactions between anxiety and aggression: role of relevant brain neuropeptides

Despite the generally growing interest of our society to understand abnormal aggressive behaviour, there is little knowledge about brain circuitries regulating aggression, and only a few groups worldwide focus on this topic. We propose to investigate the link between anxiety and aggression and their underlying neurobiological mechanisms, in particular the involvement of relevant brain neuropeptides. To this end, we will use two lines of rats genetically selected for high (HAB) and low (LAB) anxiety levels as well as non-selected rats (NAB). These lines show clear differences in behavioural, neuroendocrine and genetic parameters related to anxiety, stress coping style and a profound difference in aggressive behaviour. In this project, line differences in anxiety, aggression and impulsivity will be correlated with neuronal activity, and the expression and/or release of the neuropeptides vasopressin, oxytocin, prolactin and corticotropin-releasing factor. Complementary methodological approaches will be used to manipulate the activity of a given neuropeptide system in order to provide information on the involvement in regulating aggression.