Aggressive behavior in transgenic animal models: A systematic review.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Behavioral Science
• Genetics

Background:

• Aggressive behavior is a key feature of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
• Transgenic animal models are crucial for understanding the neurobiology of aggression.
• The resident-intruder test is a common method for assessing aggression in rodents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review literature on transgenic animal models tested for aggression using the resident-intruder test.
• To provide recommendations for improving laboratory aggression testing in rodents.
• To identify molecular pathways and potential drug targets for aggression.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of transgenic animal models and aggression studies.
• Critical evaluation of the resident-intruder test methodology.
• Construction of a molecular interaction landscape for aggression-linked genes.

Main Results:

• Identified effective methods and recommendations for aggression testing in rodents.
• Highlighted potential confounding factors in aggression studies.
• Developed a molecular landscape revealing pathways overlapping with psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

Conclusions:

• Optimized laboratory aggression testing can advance understanding of aggression's neurobiology.
• The molecular landscape offers insights into potential therapeutic targets for aggression.
• Further validation of identified targets is necessary for clinical translation.