In this application, we propose to build on previous work regarding the role of neuroinflammation in aggression and in social-emotional information processing. Both preclinical animal studies and recent human studies from our lab, and other labs, support the hypothesis that inflammatory processes are an important modulator that facilitates aggressive behavior. Work in human subjects have all been from the study of peripheral, as opposed to central, inflammatory marker/mediators and have been limited to only one or two markers (e.g., C-Reactive Protein and IL-6). In this study, we propose to test the hypothesis that: (a) various inflammatory marker/mediators in the central nervous system (i.e., measured in cerebrospinal fluid) are dimensionally related to aggressive behavior (i.e., if they mirror, and/or better relate to aggression than, peripheral inflammatory measures) and, (b) that these inflammatory marker/mediators play a role in social-emotional information processing, an important component of human aggressive behavior, as expected based on experimental work in human subjects and from our own pilot data.

Public Health Relevance

Recurrent, impulsive aggressive behavior poses a significant concern for our society and aggression has been shown to correlate directly with plasma inflammatory markers in humans. Accordingly, this project is being proposed to prospectively explore the role of central nervous system inflammatory markers in human aggression and to explore their role in emotional information processing. This project is expected to provide important insights into behavioral and neuronal mechanisms that underlie aggressive behavior in individuals with recurrent, problematic, impulsive aggressive behavior.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH104673-02
Application #
9126602
Study Section
Adult Psychopathology and Disorders of Aging Study Section (APDA)
Program Officer
Meinecke, Douglas L
Project Start
2015-08-13
Project End
2019-07-31
Budget Start
2016-08-01
Budget End
2017-07-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005421136
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
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Mosti, Caterina; Coccaro, Emil F (2018) Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Aggression, Impulsivity, and History of Other- and Self-Directed Aggression. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 30:220-227
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Coccaro, Emil F; Fanning, Jennifer R; Keedy, Sarah K et al. (2016) Social cognition in Intermittent Explosive Disorder and aggression. J Psychiatr Res 83:140-150