The findings have been accepted for publication in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. Since scientists now have a better understanding of how anger manifests in the brain, the researchers can focus on developing drugs that prevent the rage process from erupting in the first place. Illegal drugs like cocaine, however, may stimulate the development of anger in the brain, as may alcohol. In both instances, the substances cross the blood brain barrier that normally keeps infectious and dangerous things away from the brain, but isn't impervious to all materials. Tumors or other brain disorders affecting the hypothalamus can also lead "to spontaneous and impulsive acts of violence and rage," according to Siegel, who added that he thought "there was nothing wrong with the brain of the tiger that attacked the teenagers." Because wild cats are very territorial, he believes the zoo tiger felt threatened and acted aggressively in response, as it would have done in the wild if faced with intruders. Hreday Sapru, director of Neurosurgical Laboratories at the New Jersey Medical School, who did not participate in the research, agreed with the findings outlined in the new study. Because of these determinations, Sapru agreed "there is a possibility that new targets for therapeutic management of aggressive behavior in humans can be developed." "In addition," Sapru added, "this discovery may provide a basis for future studies that will unravel the underlying mechanisms of aggression and other related behaviors in animals."
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