Intrinsic neural network dynamics underlying the ability to down-regulate emotions in male perpetrators of intimate partner violence against women

• Published in: Brain Structure and Function 2023-12, Vol.228 (9), p.2025-2040
• Main Authors: Amaoui, Sofia, Marín-Morales, Agar, Martín-Pérez, Cristina, Pérez-García, Miguel, Verdejo-Román, Juan, Morawetz, Carmen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggression; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Brain architecture; Brain mapping; Cell Biology; Domestic violence; Emotional regulation; Emotions; Functional magnetic resonance imaging; Gender-based violence; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neural networks; Neuroimaging; Neurology; Neurosciences; Original; Original Article; Prefrontal cortex; Risk factors; Supplementary motor area
• ISSN: 1863-2661; 1863-2653; 1863-2661; 0340-2061
• DOI: 10.1007/s00429-023-02696-x

Research has pointed to difficulties in emotion regulation as a risk factor for perpetrating intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW). While efforts have been made to understand the brain mechanisms underlying emotion regulation strategies such as reappraisal, little is known about the intrinsic neural dynamics supporting this strategy in male perpetrators. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to characterise the network dynamics underlying reappraisal. Spectral dynamic causal modelling was performed to examine the effective connectivity (EC) within a predefined reappraisal-related brain network. 26 men convicted for an IPVAW crime [male perpetrators] were compared to 29 men convicted of other crimes [other offenders] and 29 men with no criminal records [non-offenders]. The ability to down-regulate emotions in response to IPVAW stimuli was used as a covariate to explore its association with male perpetrators' EC. The analysis revealed that (1) compared to non-offenders, both convicted groups exhibited increased EC within prefrontal areas, enhanced EC from prefrontal to temporoparietal regions and decreased EC in the opposite direction; (2) male perpetrators compared to other offenders showed increased EC from temporoparietal to prefrontal regions and, increased EC from the supplementary motor area to frontal areas; (3) connections involving dorsolateral prefrontal cortex were found to be potential predictors of the ability to down-regulate emotions. The study provides a deeper characterisation of the brain architecture of the processes that underlie IPVAW. This knowledge could inform the work of adaptive emotion regulation strategies in intervention programmes for male perpetrators in order to reduce the high recidivism rates.