New study identifies brain region that can prevent aggressive social behavior and induce pro social behavior

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL: Wednesday, February 12 at 11am EST

Nature article entitled: A critical role for the cortical amygdala in shaping social encounters [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08540-4]

Bottom Line: Neural activity in the cortical amygdala determines whether mice engage in aggressive or pro-social behavior 

Results: By performing a network analysis on whole-brain activity of male mice, we identified the cortical amygdala – an olfactory cortical structure – as a key brain region in promoting aggression. This brain region is activated by olfactory cues from male mice and by aggressive behavior. Inhibiting the cortical amygdala reduces aggressive behavior and induces pro-social behavior.

Why the Research Is Interesting:  This is the first study that identified a brain region that can prevent aggressive social behavior and induce pro social behavior.

Study Conclusions: Cells in the cortical amygdala respond specifically to male social stimuli thereby enhancing their salience and promoting attack behaviour.

First Author: Antonio Aubry, PhD
Senior Author: Scott Russo, PhD 

Said Mount Sinai’s Dr. Aubry of the research: “Aggression is an evolutionarily conserved behavior that controls social hierarchies and protects valuable resources. However, aggression can become maladaptive and pose threats to patients and caregivers. Modeling and understanding the behavioral etiology of aggressive behavior is therefore a health priority. In order to discover novel brain regions which are involved in aggression behavior, we performed a network analysis on brain wide activity at the single cell level.  This analysis identified the cortical amygdala, an olfactory cortical structure, as a key brain region in promoting aggression. This brain region is activated by olfactory cues from male mice and by aggressive behavior. Importantly, we found that inhibiting the cortical amygdala and it’s downstream circuits reduces aggressive behavior and induces pro-social behavior.”

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To request a copy of the paper or to schedule an interview with Dr. Aubry or Dr. Russo, please contact Mount Sinai’s Senior Director of Media and Public Affairs, Elizabeth Dowling, at [email protected] or 347-541-0212.