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Brain Dysfunction May Contribute to Compulsive Sexual Behavior
Posted under Sexual Addiction on Thursday, June 17th, 2010
A new study has found that frontal cortex dysfunction may contribute to sex addiction or compulsive sexual behavior. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a region of the brain that is involved in decision-making and behavioral flexibility, and has been identified as a potential mediator of impulsive behaviors.
For this study, Dr. Lique Coolen and colleagues wanted to see whether the mPFC is involved in inhibition of sexual behavior. Using rats, the researchers found that lesions on the mPFC result in compulsive sexual behavior, but did not alter sexual performance of the learning associated with reward in the brain.
This suggests that the mPFC regulates impulsive sexual behavior once the behavior is associated with aversive outcomes. The rats with lesions were probably capable of associating the behaviors with aversive outcomes but couldn’t suppress seeking a sexual reward, even with negative consequences. This parallels compulsive sexual behavior in humans, as people are driven to compulsive sexual behavior regardless of negative outcomes.
The results may help researchers better understand a common pathology that underlies impulse control disorders.
Source: Science Daily, Frontal Cortex Dysfunction May Contribute to Compulsive Sexual Behavior, Study Suggests, June 10, 2010.
