Richard J. Davidson,* Katherine M. Putnam, Christine L. Larson

Emotion is normally regulated in the human brain by a complex circuit  consisting of the orbital frontal cortex, amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex,  and several other interconnected regions. There are both genetic and  environmental contributions to the structure and function of this circuitry. We  posit that impulsive aggression and violence arise as a consequence of faulty  emotion regulation. Indeed, the prefrontal cortex receives a major serotonergic  projection, which is dysfunctional in individuals who show impulsive violence.  Individuals vulnerable to faulty regulation of negative emotion are at risk for  violence and aggression. Research on the neural circuitry of emotion regulation  suggests new avenues of intervention for such at-risk populations.