Understanding how sex differences affect aggression and its rewards
Official title: Synaptic plasticity underlying sex differences in aggression reward
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10993652 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the brain works differently in men and women when it comes to aggression, especially how certain brain areas respond to aggressive experiences and how a hormone called oxytocin might play a role in this, with the hope of finding better treatments for people dealing with aggression-related mental health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $132,268 |
| NIH project number | 5K99MH132772-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10993652 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who exhibit aggressive behaviors or have mental health conditions related to aggression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not exhibit aggressive behaviors or have no history of aggression-related mental health issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neurobiological mechanisms behind aggression and how these mechanisms differ between males and females. It focuses on the role of synaptic plasticity in specific brain regions, particularly the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens, in response to aggressive experiences. By utilizing advanced electrophysiological techniques, the study aims to uncover how oxytocin influences these processes and contributes to the rewarding aspects of aggression. This knowledge could lead to better therapeutic interventions for mental health issues related to aggression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for aggression-related mental health conditions by targeting the underlying neurobiological mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in understanding aggression through neurobiological mechanisms, but this specific focus on sex differences and synaptic plasticity is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Borland, Johnathan — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Borland, Johnathan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.