An integrative approach to the neurophysiological substrates of social withdrawal and aggression

Abstract

An integrative model of the neurophysiology of aggression and social withdrawal is proposed. A detailed overview of the limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal~LHPA! axis is presented first, because we consider it to be a critical system that interacts with a variety of physiological processes to modulate affect-related behaviors. This detailed analysis of the LHPA axis is then used to clarify the research literature that links aggression and social withdrawal to LHPA functioning. We then review the role of amygdala and prefrontal cortex functioning in modulating aggression and social withdrawal. Particular attention is paid to how the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex interact with the LHPA system and the environment to produce specific behavioral tendencies throughout development. A brief overview of the implied methodological and theoretical model is provided. We explain how a detailed understanding of specific physiological processes is essential in order to develop appropriate research protocols. In addition, we suggest that future research should focus on the mapping of distinct integrative biosocial profiles that are related to specific behaviors during different developmental stages.

Cortisol and externalizing behavior in children and adolescents: Mixed meta‐analytic evidence for the inverse relation of basal cortisol and cortisol reactivity with externalizing behavior

“…There is evidence that these types are differentially related to basal levels of cortisol, with the reactive or defensive type being related to higher levels of cortisol and the proactive or offensive type related to lower cortisol levels (see also Lopez et al, 2004;Van Bokhoven et al, 2005). Unfortunately, we were unable to test this differential relation in our meta-analyses, because most often the exact behaviors that were measured and the contexts in which they were assessed were not clearly documented.…”

“…The effect of these social stressors on cortisol levels may depend on the child's level of externalizing behavior. For example, Lopez, Vazquez, and Olson (2004) noted that, when placed in a social setting, externalizing children may be more frequently engaged in stressful (aggressive) peer interactions than shy children. In addition, externalizing children are more likely to be rejected by peers because of their poor social skills.…”

Effects of a Psychosocial Family-Based Preventive Intervention on Cortisol Response to a Social Challenge in Preschoolers at High Risk for Antisocial Behavior

“…Through the effects of genes or the environment, prior findings suggest that some children develop chronic aggression because of poor processing of specific emotional cues that contributes to faulty socialization. An emerging body of literature 24,25 shows that a subgroup of chronically aggressive children exhibit marked difficulty processing social cues that signal the need to inhibit aggressive impulses. 26 These findings have been attributed to reduced responding in specific neural architecture associated with stress responses and HPA axis regulation.…”

“…Saliva collection was chosen because it is the most frequently used procedure in studies in young children. 11,13,14,17,25 This convention has emerged because of the ease of collection for assessments at multiple time points, the stress-free nature of the procedures, and the observation that salivary cortisol levels reflect levels of the biologically active hormone available to central nervous system receptors. 39 Cortisol assessments were collected at baseline (before randomization) (T1) and repeated in an identical fashion 9 months later (after intervention) (T2).…”

Social instigation and repeated aggressive confrontations in male Swiss mice: analysis of plasma corticosterone, CRF and BDNF levels in limbic brain areas

“…10 These areas seem to be critical for emotional and cognitive functions such as social recognition, fighting, mating, fear, or motivated behaviors. 10 The PFC and hippocampus have been identified as particularly important in the modulatory control of subcortical circuits that mediate aggressive and impulsive behaviors 11,12 ; the components of these circuits include the medial amygdala, hypothalamus and the periaqueductal grey. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] Indeed, PFC lesions promote an increase in aggressive behavior in rats.…”