The brain and aggression: Interventions for reducing interpersonal reactive aggression

Aggression is a pernicious social problem. We present a neurocognitive model of reactive aggression and view four potential treatments through the lens of this model. These interventions include mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral therapies, omega-3s (e.g., fish oils), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The model specifies the following neuropsychological mechanisms that can be modified via these therapies: emotion regulation, the acute threat response, reward representation of aggression, and response inhibition. Although more research is needed, this review generally supports the notion that all four interventions can reduce aggression and improve anger regulation. The studies reviewed here provide partial support for the hypothesis that these interventions can improve reward functioning and response inhibition. Furthermore, each intervention affects brain function in a putatively adaptive manner.