The Neurobiology of Aggression

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A group of neurons in the hypothalamus gradually ramped up activity to a level that correlated with what the mouse did. At low levels, the animal might freeze or ignore the other mouse. But as levels built up over tens of seconds, it might show signs of aggression - such as trying to mount the other mouse at high levels. The neurons seemed to function like a volume dial for aggression. And what's more, the levels vary between mice, with some creatures almost never attacking and some quick to do so.

Neuroscientists are creating more naturalistic experiments that they hope will provide a more nuanced understanding of animal — and human — behaviour.

These set-ups differ from the classic laboratory experiments that have been used for decades, and may help in the understanding of behaviours such as escaping a predator or finding scarce food. By studying these natural actions, scientists are hoping to glean lessons about the brain and behaviour that are more holistic and more relevant to everyday activity than ever before.

This is an audio version of our Feature: Lab mice go wild: making experiments more natural in order to decode the brain

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