Neuroimmune Disturbances in Animal Models of Aggressive Behavior

Immune dysregulation and inflammation play a key role in the pathogenesis of various affective disorders associated with excessive aggressiveness. Aggressive behavior formed in experimental models under influence of psychological stress or genetic factors is accompanied by changes in immune function, production of circulating cytokines, as well as temporal and region-dependent variations in their content within brain structures involved in behavior control and immunomodulation. Studying a role of neuroimmune interactions in the regulation of aggressive behavior is a fundamental challenge not only to advance our understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying human aggression and violence, but also for developing effective approaches to its correction.