Understanding Brain Mechanisms of Reactive Aggression.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

To review the current literature on biobehavioral mechanisms involved in reactive aggression in a transdiagnostic approach.

Recent findings

Aggressive reactions are closely related to activations in the brain's threat circuitry. They occur in response to social threat that is experienced as inescapable, which, in turn, facilitates angry approach rather than fearful avoidance. Provocation-induced aggression is strongly associated with anger and deficits in cognitive control including emotion regulation and inhibitory control. Furthermore, the brain's reward system plays a particular role in anger-related, tit-for-tat-like retaliatory aggression in response to frustration. More research is needed to further disentangle specific brain responses to social threa

SUBMITTER: Bertsch K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7661405 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature