Grant: CIHR Clinician Scientist - Phase 2

Human violence is a common phenomenon that takes a large toll on individual lives and, indeed, Canadian society overall. Although the majority of 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 or changes in brain chemistry that require specific treatment. 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 previously found using state-of-the-art brain imaging techniques that a brain chemical called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is increased in the brains of people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD is a prevalent psychiatric condition that presents high rates of harm toward the self and others. FAAH is part of a chemical pathway in the brain that has been associated with increased aggression. Therefore, agents that block FAAH may be candidates for treating violence in BPD and other conditions. Continuing with this line of research, the current proposal evaluates whether talk therapies can affect brain FAAH levels in BPD and thus influence anger, hostility, and aggression. In addition, we will also look at FAAH levels in other psychiatric disorders, such as depression, which shares some commonalities with BPD and may also have high brain FAAH levels. 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. This research has the potential to reduce the economic burden of violence on the health care system, as well as the corrections system.