PSYO 2160 Lecture Notes - Lecture 22: Glucocorticoid, Psychopathology, Endocrine System
9 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
Neuroanatomy of Aggression
o From neuroscience when looking at different pathways
o If we look at aggression, we know it is a cortical function
o Limbic system is fundamental in explaining the cause of aggression
Hypothalamus
o Regulator of the limbic system and endocrine system
o Chemical/structural study when the hypothalamus is damaged, aggression levels will
change
o Defensive and offensive attack and controlled by the hypothalamus
o If you stimulate the hypothalamus of rhesus monkeys, they will become dominant
o Fairly social, lack of motivation monkey will become more assertive and dominant
o Basis of aggression may not stimulate actual aggression
Amygdala
o Just a very core part of the emotional system of the brain, it responds to parts of the cortex
and the hypothalamus
o If you start altering the amygdala, you can remove fear
Other Structures Involved
o Testosterone and dopamine are hormones involved in aggression
o People become aggressive without dopamine release (ex. Cocaine addicts become
aggressive without a dopamine fix)
Neurotransmitters
o It's not about having a peak or a lack of a neurotransmitter, but to have an optimal level
o Serotonin - too much or too little can be very bad, you want optimal levels of it
o Dopamine - serotonin and dopamine may work together more than we thought. Dopamine
levels, if too high ay induce aggression
o Crack addicts experience this
o These three are the neurotransmitters targeted when treating depression and depression is
linked to aggression
o Suicide is the peak of aggression, which is correlated with very low levels of
serotonin
Hormones
o Testosterone is NOT the only androgen
o Androgens are commonly associated with males, however they are both in males and
females
o Sexual aggression is commonly correlated with high androgen levels - so this is
applicable to females
o Aggression and sex go together in strange ways
o Define sexual desire in both sexes with high correlations in social status
o Alpha male or female has the opportunity to reproduce
o When you have psychopathology involving sexual assault and aggression, there is a
dysregulation at this level.
o Linked suggesting that they are not coincidental when aggression occurs and
hormone levels are high
o At the same time, estrogen is important in male and females
o Important in reproductive cycle in females
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Neuroanatomy of aggression: from neuroscience when looking at different pathways. If we look at aggression, we know it is a cortical function: limbic system is fundamental in explaining the cause of aggression. Hypothalamus: regulator of the limbic system and endocrine system, chemical/structural study when the hypothalamus is damaged, aggression levels will change, defensive and offensive attack and controlled by the hypothalamus. If you stimulate the hypothalamus of rhesus monkeys, they will become dominant: fairly social, lack of motivation monkey will become more assertive and dominant, basis of aggression may not stimulate actual aggression. Amygdala: just a very core part of the emotional system of the brain, it responds to parts of the cortex and the hypothalamus. If you start altering the amygdala, you can remove fear. Other structures involved: testosterone and dopamine are hormones involved in aggression, people become aggressive without dopamine release (ex. Cocaine addicts become aggressive without a dopamine fix)
