The Neuroscience of Violence

We are on the brink of a new understanding of the neuroscience of violence. Like detectives slipping a fiber optic camera under a door, neuroscientists insert a fiber optic microcamera into the brain of an experimental animal and watch the neural circuits of rage respond during violent behavior.

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Seeing Red out of the Blue

    We like to believe that we are in control of our actions, but sometimes we are not.  A sudden incident can overtake conscious will and launch us into violent action that risks our life and limb in an instant.  I know, because it happened to me. I am a neuroscientist, and after witnessing…

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Why no one helped

On Saturday, July 4, 2015, a horrifying bloodbath erupted before the eyes of passengers on the Red Line Metro subway train heading to Fourth of July festivities in Washington, DC. Wide-spread criticism in the press and social media erupted over the “apathetic” response of onlookers who reportedly said or did nothing to help the victim.…

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