University of Utah · NeuroscienceSocial Neuroscience and Aggression Lab
Moriel Zelikowsky · Salt Lake City, Utah
Research Focus
Dr. Moriel Zelikowsky's lab focuses on understanding how social isolation impacts aggression through brain mechanisms. By studying the medial prefrontal cortex and specific neuron types, the lab aims to uncover how these brain circuits can lead to increased aggression and insight into potential treatments for related mental health issues. This research is particularly relevant in light of growing societal concerns about aggression and violence driven by social isolation.
social isolationaggressionmedial prefrontal cortexneural circuitsmental health
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the role of Tac2+ neurons in mediating isolation-induced aggression.
AIM 02Determine if excitatory pyramidal neurons in the mPFC can inhibit aggression.
AIM 03Examine how Tac2+ interneurons regulate pyramidal neuron activity during aggression.
Skills the Lab Values
behavioral assaysmolecular geneticsin vivo calcium imagingmachine learningoptogenetics
Output against the department
Publications43bottom 8% of dept.614th of 671
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations5.0kbottom 37% of dept.425th of 671
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.