Understanding how male and female brains process aggression differently
Official title: Sex Differences in Neural Circuit Mechanisms of Aggression
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-10932971 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain works during aggressive behavior and how this might be different for men and women, with the goal of finding better ways to understand and treat 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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $637,718 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133299-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932971 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 21 and older who exhibit aggressive behavior or are at risk of developing aggression-related issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not exhibit aggressive behavior or have no history of aggression-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms behind aggression, focusing on how these mechanisms differ between sexes. By using advanced techniques like tissue clearing and computational analysis, the study aims to identify specific brain regions activated during aggressive behavior. The researchers will analyze cFos expression across approximately 500 brain regions to understand the underlying biological networks involved in aggression. This approach could lead to a better understanding of aggression and its treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for aggression-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding neural mechanisms of behavior, but this specific focus on sex differences in aggression is relatively novel.
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.