Grant: CIHR Clinician Scientist - Phase 2

Human violence is a common phenomenon that takes a large toll on society and affects people of all ages. Although most individuals with psychiatric illness are not violent, some mental disorders are associated with increased risk of aggression toward oneself and others. Persistent violence may relate to underlying brain abnormalities. Hence, research that strives to understand the brain differences of people who engage in repeated aggression could lead to new treatment tools and violence prevention strategies. We propose using state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques to examine brain chemistry and functioning in psychiatric patients who are habitually aggressive. Because violence affects people of all ages, we will study adults and youth. The overall goal of the research is to identify brain chemicals linked to adult aggression that could be targeted by new medications and to learn how youths' brain functioning improves when they receive talk therapies aimed at decreasing violent behavior. The knowledge generated by these studies could stimulate new treatments for persistent violence and ultimately lead to improved health outcomes for both perpetrators and victims of violence.