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Hypothalamic connectivities and self-evaluated aggression in young adults
Yuxing Jared Yao1, Yu Chen2, Chiang-Shan R Li2,3,4
1Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06459, U.S.A.
Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|October 14, 2024
Summary
Resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) is linked to aggression in humans. Sex differences were observed in the LH-thalamus rsFC, suggesting distinct neural pathways for aggression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Human Connectomics
Background:
- The hypothalamus is crucial for motivated behaviors, including aggression.
- Previous research indicated distinct roles for the medial hypothalamus (MH) and lateral hypothalamus (LH) in aggression.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the relationship between human hypothalamic resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) and aggression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between LH and MH rsFC and aggression in a large cohort of young adults.
- To explore potential sex differences in these rsFC patterns related to aggression.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Human Connectome Project (HCP) data from 745 young adults.
- Analyzed rsFC of the LH and MH using established imaging processing routines.
- Performed voxel-wise regression of rsFC on aggression scores, with corrected statistical thresholds.
Main Results:
- Significant negative rsFC was found between the LH and regions including the middle temporal gyrus, occipital gyrus, and thalamus (in men) correlating with aggression.
- No significant rsFC was observed for the MH.
- Sex differences in the correlation between LH-thalamus rsFC and aggression were confirmed.
Conclusions:
- LH rsFC plays a role in human aggression.
- Sex differences in LH-thalamus rsFC are implicated in aggression.
- Further research into sex-specific neural pathways for aggression and related mental health traits is warranted.
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