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Cited by 109Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on BehaviorNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorBullying, Victimization, and Aggression

Excessive aggression as model of violence: a critical evaluation of current preclinical methods

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Miczek, Klaus A., de Boer, Sietse F., Haller, Jozsef·2013·Psychopharmacology
DOI 10.1007/s00213-013-3008-xPMC PMC3595336
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Abstract

Rationale Preclinical experimental models of pathological aggressive behavior are a sorely understudied and difficult research area. Objectives How valid, reliable, productive, and informative are the most frequently used animal models of excessive aggressive behavior? Methods The rationale, key methodological features, supporting data, and arguments as well as their disadvantages and limitations of the most frequently used animal models for excessive aggressive behavior are summarized and their validity and reliability are evaluated. Results Excessive aggressive behavior is validly and reliably seen in (1) a proportion of feral-derived rats and selectively bred mice; (2) rats with compromised adrenal function resulting in a hypoglucocorticoid state; (3) a significant minority of mice, rats, and monkeys after consumption of a moderate dose of alcohol; and (4) resident animals of various species after social instigation. Limitations of these procedures include restrictive animal research regulations, the requirement of expertise in surgical, pharmacological, and behavioral techniques, and the behaviorally impoverished mouse strains that are used in molecular genetics research. Promising recent initiatives for novel experimental models include aggressive behaviors that are evoked by optogenetic stimulation and induced by the manipulation of early social experiences such as isolation rearing or social stress. Conclusions One of the most significant challenges for animal models of excessive, potentially abnormal aggressive behavior is the characterization of distinctive neurobiological mechanisms that differ from those governing species-typical aggressive behavior. Identifying novel targets for effective intervention requires increased understanding of the distinctive molecular, cellular, and circuit mechanisms for each type of abnormal aggressive behavior.

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Cited by

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Authors
Miczek, K. A., de Boer, S. F., & Haller, J.
Affiliations
Tufts University (US)
Corresponding author
Miczek, Klaus A.
ORCID
Miczek, Klaus A.
Venue
Psychopharmacology
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2013-02-21
Volume
226
Issue
3
Pages
445-458
ISSN
  • 0033-3158 (ISSN-L)
  • 1432-2072
DOI
10.1007/s00213-013-3008-x
PMC
PMC3595336
OpenAlex
W1973509015
Cited by
109
References
9
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 1
FWCI
4.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01AA013983, AA013983)
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA-031734, R01DA031734)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
Keywords
animal models of aggression, violence, hypogonadism, alcohol-induced aggression, optogenetic stimulation, isolation rearing, social stress
MeSH terms
Aggression, Animals, Haplorhini, Behavior, Animal, Disease Models, Animal, Humans, Species Specificity, Stress, Psychological, Violence, Reproducibility of Results, Mice, Rats

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