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Q04: Central coordination

Governance, and communication among participating researchers and the public.

Contributors

Ute Habel

A02: Context effects on threat processing in dependence of testosterone levels A04: Implicit chemosensory threat signals as stimulators of amygdala hyperresponsiveness in AMD Q01: Recruitment and biotyping transdiagnostic risk mechanisms for aggressive behaviors in mental disorders across the life span Q04: Central coordination Principal investigator Spokesperson Steering committee member Management board member Citizen Advisory Boad RWTH Aachen Research Center Jülich (FZJ)

Professor Ute Habel is a distinguished academic at RWTH Aachen University, renowned for her expertise in neuropsychology. Her research delves into the neural mechanisms of emotions, cognition, and psychiatric disorders, utilizing advanced neuroimaging techniques such as fMRI. With a prolific output of publications, she significantly contributes to the understanding of brain function in both health and disease. As a dedicated educator, she mentors students and fosters interdisciplinary collaborations, making substantial impacts on both academic research and clinical practices in neuropsychology and psychiatry.

Publications

A cognitive neuroscience approach to understanding aggression and its treatment

Ute Habel Lisa Wagels A02: Context effects on threat processing in dependence of testosterone levels A04: Implicit chemosensory threat signals as stimulators of amygdala hyperresponsiveness in AMD B04: Investigating psychological and neural correlates of intimate partner violence Q03: Integrated Research Training Group (RTG) Q04: Central coordination Biological Psychiatry Clinical Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Negative valence system

While anyone can behave aggressively, some people are more prone to aggression than others. We present a neuro-cognitive model and consider several inter-individual differences that confer risk for aggression. Forms of atypical cognitive function include a hyperreactive acute threat response, poor emotion regulation, and mechanisms involved in choosing when to aggress. We show dysfunction in the neural systems mediating these functions may account for aggression in people high in psychopathy/callous unemotional traits, irritability/anger, hostility, impulsivity, and low in frustration tolerance. We then review promising interventions including psychological therapies and pharmaceuticals that might influence the neuro-cognitive underpinnings of these constructs. Although there is no overwhelming “one size fits all” approach to treating aggression, identifying the neural mechanisms implicated in these traits may improve individualized treatments.