Understanding how genes and environment influence aggressive behavior in teens and young adults
Official title: Deciphering gene-environment interactions in pathological reactive aggression
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11375728 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study looks at how genetic factors and experiences during childhood interact to shape aggressive behavior in adolescents and young adults, with potential implications for better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2014 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $762,991 |
| NIH project number | 7R01MH104603-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375728 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals showing signs of pathological aggression during adolescence or young adulthood, including those with relevant genetic or environmental risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
If a participant does not have or develop the specific neurodevelopmental or genetic risk profile studied, direct benefits may be limited.
What this research studies
This NIH grant investigates why some youths develop pathological aggression by exploring how genetic factors, like MAOA-related pathways, interact with early life stress. The research builds on an animal model and aims to map brain changes across development that lead to aggression at puberty. If results translate to humans, findings could guide more effective therapies and targeted interventions for at-risk teens and young adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could pave the way for smarter, more personalized therapies to reduce dangerous aggression and improve safety for patients and communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has established a gene-by-environment model in animals that mirrors some human aggression patterns, suggesting relevance to humans.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bortolato, Marco — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Bortolato, Marco
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How sex differences affect the rewarding feel of aggression in the brain
This grant explores why aggressive experiences feel more rewarding in females and how specific brain circuits and chemical signals shape this in both sexes.
-
Metabolic therapy to reduce aggression and improve sociability in Alzheimer’s disease models
A ketogenic diet and adenosine biology are explored to see if they can lessen aggression and improve social behavior in models related to Alzheimer’s disease.
-
Genomic keys to juvenile aggression in kids and animals
A study using a novel animal model to uncover genomic factors that influence violent aggression in young individuals, with potential insights for understanding and preventing harmful behavior.
-
Men's drinking and sexual risk behaviors: alcohol, aggression, and emotions
A study with 21–30 year old men who drink and have condom-use challenges will look at how alcohol, aggression history, and emotions relate to risky sexual behavior.
-
Sex differences in brain circuits that control aggression
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.
-
Neural markers that predict how kids with ADHD respond to CNS stimulants
This project looks at brain signals to see if they can predict which children with ADHD and aggression will benefit from stimulant medications.
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.