Petri Net Modeling of the Brain Circuit Involved in Aggressive Behavior

TL;DR

This paper presents a Petri net-based dynamic model of the brain circuits involved in aggressive behavior, aiming to simulate neural processes underlying anger and aggression.

Contribution

It introduces a novel Petri net modeling approach to represent neural substrates and dynamics of aggression in the brain.

Findings

Feasible in silico simulation of aggression-related neural processes

Representation of neural connectivity and temporal dynamics using Petri nets

Initial results support the Patterned-Process Theory

Abstract

The purpose of this work in to demonstrate the initial results of a research project having as its goal to develop dynamic models of the brain network involved in aggressive behavior. In this way, the complex neural process correlated to basic anger emotions and resulting in aggressive behaviors is purportedly schematized by the use of Petri nets, a work-flow computational tool. Initially, the modeling technique is introduced taking into account the most recent and accepted notion of the neural substrates of emotions, particularly the brain structures involved in the aggression neural network, including their inputs, outputs, and internal connectivity. In order to optimally represent these structures, their connections, and temporal dynamics, the Petri net foundations employed in the simulation theory are defined. Finally, the model and dynamic simulation of the neural process associated with aggressive behavior is presented and evaluated as a feasible in silico experimental support of the Patterned-Process Theory.