Abstract
This review focuses on the contribution of circadian rhythms to aggression with a multifaceted approach incorporating genetics, neural networks, and behavior. We explore the hypothesis that chronic circadian misalignment is contributing to increased aggression. Genes involved in both circadian rhythms and aggression are discussed as a possible mechanism for increased aggression that might be elicited by circadian misalignment. We then discuss the neural networks underlying aggression and how dysregulation in the interaction of these networks evoked by circadian rhythm misalignment could contribute to aggression. The last section of this review will present recent human correlational data demonstrating the association between chronotype and/or circadian misalignment with aggression. With circadian rhythms and aggression being a burgeoning area of study, we hope that this review initiates more interest in this promising and topical area.
Highlights
In chronobiology, chronotype refers to one’s sleep-wake timing (Roenneberg, 2012)
Genetic, and neurobiological research, we suggest that circadian rhythm disruption contributes to aggressive behavior
Recent studies link an evening preference to aggression, and we argue that an evening preference is often associated with mild yet chronic circadian misalignment
Summary
Chronotype refers to one’s sleep-wake timing (Roenneberg, 2012). Genetics, age, gender, and environmental stimuli contribute to the expression of chronotype (Barclay et al, 2013; Foster et al, 2013; Wicht et al, 2014). This work is a scoping/narrative review that will discuss the relationship between circadian rhythms and aggression, with a broad focus that encompasses genetics, neural circuitry, and human behavior. The tenet of this article is that circadian rhythm dysfunction contributes to aggression To guide this supposition, we draw from the wealth of genetic association studies, animal models of circadian rhythms and aggression, and human correlational data. The third section of the article will outline how the neural networks underlying forms of aggression are similar to those involved in learning and memory and how the dysfunction present in both aggression and circadian rhythm disruption involves changes in the interactions of these networks. We will discuss recent human correlational data, which demonstrates that chronotype and/or circadian misalignment are associated with aggression
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