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

Miczek, Klaus A. and Boer, Sietse F. de and Haller, József (2013) Excessive aggression as model of violence : a critical evaluation of current preclinical methods. PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY, 226 (3). pp. 445-458. ISSN 0033-3158

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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, sup- porting 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 mi- nority 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 proce- dures include restrictive animal research regulations, the re- quirement 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 aggres- sive behavior is the characterization of distinctive neurobi- ological mechanisms that di ffer 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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