The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is widely viewed as a center for behavioral control, helping regulate emotions and suppress inappropriate actions. This has led to the idea that it acts as a cortical “brake” on aggression. 

Here we test a different possibility: that the OFC can actively promote aggression under certain conditions. 

We focus on a direct pathway from the medial OFC to the medial amygdala, a key node in aggression circuits. Using circuit-specific tracing, in vivo calcium imaging, and chemogenetic manipulation, we find that this pathway is excitatory, strongly activated during traumatic stress, and required for the later emergence of aggressive behavior.