Gender differences in aggression of borderline personality disorder

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Background:

• Aggression is a hallmark symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD).
• General population studies show men are more aggressive than women.
• It remains unclear if gender influences aggression in BPD or its neurobiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gender differences in aggression among BPD patients.
• To explore neurobiological distinctions in aggression between male and female BPD patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of self-reports, interviews, and behavioral tasks in BPD samples.
• Analysis of neurobiological studies comparing BPD patients with gender-matched controls.

Main Results:

• Behavioral data suggest BPD attenuates typical gender differences in aggression.
• Female BPD patients show reduced amygdala and hippocampal gray matter.
• Male BPD patients exhibit altered anterior cingulate cortex, putamen, and striatal activity, with impaired serotonergic responsivity, indicating higher impulsivity.

Conclusions:

• Neurobiological findings suggest distinct pathways for aggression in male and female BPD.
• Impulsivity appears particularly relevant to aggression in males with BPD.
• Further research with systematic gender comparisons is needed for gender-sensitive BPD treatments.