Tachykinin
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Tachykinins are a family of neuropeptides that play significant roles in various biological processes, including pain and aggression. These peptides differ from neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin as they are short protein fragments encoded by specific genes that are activated in certain neurons.
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Role in Aggression: Tachykinins have been implicated in aggression across various species. For instance, when tachykinin-containing neurons in flies are activated, aggression levels increase. This effect is also observed in mice, where social isolation leads to heightened tachykinin levels and increased aggression. The increased level of tachykinins due to social isolation not only makes animals more aggressive but also more prone to fear and anxiety 1 2.
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Social Isolation and Aggression: Social isolation can exacerbate the effects of tachykinins, leading to higher aggression and irritability. This is evident in both animal models and humans, as the presence of tachykinins in the brain under such conditions promotes these behaviors. Research has shown that administering drugs to block tachykinin receptors in socially isolated animals can reduce these negative behaviors, allowing them to reintegrate more peacefully with others 2.
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Human Implications: In humans, tachykinin levels have been linked to conditions like borderline personality disorder, where higher levels correlate with increased aggression. However, the translation of animal research findings to humans in clinical settings faces challenges due to historical failures in drug trials that attempted to target these peptides for unrelated conditions like schizophrenia 3.
Overall, tachykinins are crucial in the biological mechanisms underlying social behaviors and isolation responses, with potential therapeutic implications for managing social isolation-induced stress and related conditions.
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