Understanding how the brain controls aggression
Official title: Mapping experience-dependent change in a circuit for aggression
Funded at Princeton University · NIH-11020966 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain experiences can change the brain and lead to ongoing aggressive behavior, which could help us understand why some people with conditions like autism and bipolar disorder struggle with aggression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 17, 2021 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $446,816 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH126035-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11020966 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with conditions associated with high levels of aggression, such as autism spectrum disorder or bipolar disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any history of aggressive behavior or those not diagnosed with related mental health disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural mechanisms that lead to persistent high-aggression states in the brain. By examining how experiences of aggression can alter neural circuits, the study aims to uncover the biological basis for aggressive behavior in various mental health disorders. Using animal models, researchers will track changes in brain activity over time, focusing on specific areas known to regulate aggression. This approach could provide insights into how aggression becomes dysregulated in conditions like autism and bipolar disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for managing aggression in patients with mental health disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding aggression through neural mechanisms, but this specific approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Princeton University
Princeton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Falkner, Annegret Lea — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Falkner, Annegret Lea
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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.