Understanding Aggression in the Brain
Official title: Sex Differences in Neural Circuit Mechanisms of Aggression
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11140982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research aims to uncover how brain circuits contribute to aggressive behaviors, hoping to find new ways to help people struggling with aggression.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $637,718 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133299-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11140982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but aims to benefit individuals who experience problematic aggressive behaviors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct clinical intervention will not find direct benefit from this basic science project.
What this research studies
Aggression is a natural part of social life, but it can become harmful and lead to serious problems for individuals and society. Currently, we have very few effective treatments because we don't fully understand what happens in the brain to cause aggression. This project uses advanced brain imaging techniques to map out which brain areas are active during aggressive and non-aggressive interactions. By looking at how these brain regions connect and communicate, we hope to identify new targets for future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of aggression, paving the way for the development of new and more effective treatments for those affected.
How similar studies have gone: This project uses novel computational and imaging approaches to explore brain mechanisms of aggression, building on a limited existing understanding.
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.