Sex differences in brain circuits that control aggression
Official title: Sex Differences in Neural Circuit Mechanisms of Aggression
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11378527 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how brain networks that drive aggressive behavior may differ between sexes, with the goal of understanding why aggression patterns differ and how they might be treated.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $637,718 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133299-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11378527 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years or older who may be assessed for aggression-related behaviors in research settings.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without aggression-related conditions or those who cannot participate in neuroimaging or behavioral assessments may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will map brain activity patterns linked to aggression in adults using a comprehensive brain-wide approach. They will image cFos activity across hundreds of brain regions after social interactions that involve aggression, then build networks showing how these regions interact. By comparing male and female brains, they aim to uncover sex-specific circuit mechanisms that could inform future therapies. The study uses advanced tissue clearing and big data analysis to identify new targets within neural networks related to aggression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to more precise treatments for aggression by considering sex-specific brain differences.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using brain-wide activity mapping have revealed important network relationships, supporting the approach as promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Russo, Scott James — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Russo, Scott James
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.