Abstract
Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients are characterized by increased levels of aggressivity and reduction of impulse control, which are behavioural dimensions mainly sustained by hippocampus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In this study we aimed at investigating whether hippocampus and DLPFC anatomy may sustain impulsive and aggressive behaviours in BPD. Methods: Fifteen DSM-IV BPD patients (11 females, 4 males) and fifteen 1:1 matched healthy controls (11 females, 4 males) were studied with a 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and underwent a psychopathological assessment in order to measure the severity of aggressive and impulsive traits. Results: Right hippocampal volumes were significantly reduced in BPD patients compared to healthy subjects (p = 0.027), particularly in those with a history of childhood abuse (p = 0.01). Moreover, in patients but not in controls, right hippocampal volumes significantly inversely correlated with aggressiveness and DLPFC grey matter volumes significantly inversely associated with impulsiveness (p <0.05). Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that hippocampus and DLPFC play a separate and unique role in sustaining the control of impulse and aggressive behaviours in BPD patients.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 417-421 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of Affective Disorders |
| Volume | 131 |
| Issue number | 1-3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jun 2011 |
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Keywords
- Anatomy
- Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS)
- Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI)
- Magnetic resonance imaging
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Clinical Psychology
Cite this
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus sustain impulsivity and aggressiveness in borderline personality disorder. / Sala, M.; Caverzasi, E.; Lazzaretti, M.; Morandotti, N.; De Vidovich, G.; Marraffini, E.; Gambini, F.; Isola, M.; De Bona, M.; Rambaldelli, G.; D'Allio, G.; Barale, F.; Zappoli, F.; Brambilla, P.
In: Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 131, No. 1-3, 06.2011, p. 417-421.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus sustain impulsivity and aggressiveness in borderline personality disorder
AU - Sala, M.
AU - Caverzasi, E.
AU - Lazzaretti, M.
AU - Morandotti, N.
AU - De Vidovich, G.
AU - Marraffini, E.
AU - Gambini, F.
AU - Isola, M.
AU - De Bona, M.
AU - Rambaldelli, G.
AU - D'Allio, G.
AU - Barale, F.
AU - Zappoli, F.
AU - Brambilla, P.
PY - 2011/6
Y1 - 2011/6
N2 - Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients are characterized by increased levels of aggressivity and reduction of impulse control, which are behavioural dimensions mainly sustained by hippocampus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In this study we aimed at investigating whether hippocampus and DLPFC anatomy may sustain impulsive and aggressive behaviours in BPD. Methods: Fifteen DSM-IV BPD patients (11 females, 4 males) and fifteen 1:1 matched healthy controls (11 females, 4 males) were studied with a 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and underwent a psychopathological assessment in order to measure the severity of aggressive and impulsive traits. Results: Right hippocampal volumes were significantly reduced in BPD patients compared to healthy subjects (p = 0.027), particularly in those with a history of childhood abuse (p = 0.01). Moreover, in patients but not in controls, right hippocampal volumes significantly inversely correlated with aggressiveness and DLPFC grey matter volumes significantly inversely associated with impulsiveness (p <0.05). Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that hippocampus and DLPFC play a separate and unique role in sustaining the control of impulse and aggressive behaviours in BPD patients.
AB - Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients are characterized by increased levels of aggressivity and reduction of impulse control, which are behavioural dimensions mainly sustained by hippocampus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). In this study we aimed at investigating whether hippocampus and DLPFC anatomy may sustain impulsive and aggressive behaviours in BPD. Methods: Fifteen DSM-IV BPD patients (11 females, 4 males) and fifteen 1:1 matched healthy controls (11 females, 4 males) were studied with a 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and underwent a psychopathological assessment in order to measure the severity of aggressive and impulsive traits. Results: Right hippocampal volumes were significantly reduced in BPD patients compared to healthy subjects (p = 0.027), particularly in those with a history of childhood abuse (p = 0.01). Moreover, in patients but not in controls, right hippocampal volumes significantly inversely correlated with aggressiveness and DLPFC grey matter volumes significantly inversely associated with impulsiveness (p <0.05). Conclusions: Our results provide evidence that hippocampus and DLPFC play a separate and unique role in sustaining the control of impulse and aggressive behaviours in BPD patients.
KW - Anatomy
KW - Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS)
KW - Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory (BDHI)
KW - Magnetic resonance imaging
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79955906625&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79955906625&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jad.2010.11.036
DO - 10.1016/j.jad.2010.11.036
M3 - Article
VL - 131
SP - 417
EP - 421
JO - Journal of Affective Disorders
JF - Journal of Affective Disorders
SN - 0165-0327
IS - 1-3
ER -