Scientists began to develop a cure for aggression
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Pathological attacks of rage can be blocked. This was stated by scientists from the University of Southern California (USC University) after the experiment in mice. Specialists were able to identify the neurological factor of aggression - the receptor in the brain (NMDA), which works incorrectly in excessively embittered rodents. When he disconnected, their excessive aggressiveness disappeared. People have the same receptor. The authors hope that their discovery will help in developing a new treatment for aggression, which often accompanies Alzheimer's, autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, writes Science Daily.
"From a clinical and social point of view, reactive aggression is a serious problem, and we want to find" tools "that can help reduce impulsive violence," says Marco Bortolato, author of the study and a researcher at the USC School of Pharmacy, .
According to the scientist, with a certain predisposition to pathological aggression, a low level of the enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) is noted, a strong reaction to stress. "The same type of mutation we found in mice is associated with aggressive behavior in humans, especially among criminals.The combination of a low level of MAO A and harsh treatment in childhood is fatal and leads to inhumanity in adulthood," says M. Bortolato.
The researchers conducted an experiment on overly aggressive rodents with a lack of enzyme and found that the receptor in the prefrontal cortex of their brain requires strong electrical stimulation, and even if it is activated, it will work for a short time.
"Our discovery has great potential, because we learned that blocking this receptor reduces aggression, whatever the human behavior, the conditions of his life and the environment, in the future it will be possible to control the manifestations of his pathological anger," Bortolato comments. He noted that the NMDA receptor plays a key role in fixing the brain multiple simultaneous sensory information flows. Now a team of specialists is studying possible side effects of drugs that reduce the activity of this receptor.
"Aggressive behavior has serious socio-economic consequences, our task is to understand what pharmacological agents and treatment regimen should be used to influence the receptor," the scientist concluded.
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