Anger management: Mechanisms of glutamate receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity underlying animal aggression

• Published in: The international journal of biochemistry & cell biology Vol. 142; p. 106120
• Main Author: Nordman, Jacob C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Aggression; Experience; Glutamate; Stress; Synaptic plasticity; Experience; Glutamate; Aggression; Stress; Synaptic plasticity
• ISSN: 1357-2725; 1878-5875; 1878-5875
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.106120

Excessive and recurring violent aggression is a serious concern for society and a symptom of many psychiatric diseases. Substance abuse, attack experience, and social and traumatic stress increase vulnerability to developing this type of aggression. Glutamate receptors are an intriguing target for long-term treatment. This review will assess the importance of glutamate receptors and glutamatergic pathways in aggression, focusing on the role of glutamate receptor-mediated synaptic plasticity in experience-dependent long-lasting aggression. By synthesizing what is known about glutamatergic systems in aggression, it is hoped more effective treatments can be developed. •Substance abuse, attack experience, and stress are reliable predictors of aggression.•Substance abuse, attack experience, and stress induce synaptic plasticity in multiple aggression circuits.•Many of the plasticity mechanisms in aggression are glutamate-receptor dependent.•Examining glutamate receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity in aggression will be key in developing better treatments.