N-acetylaspartate, Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, and Glutamate in Narcissistic and Antisocial Personality Disorders and Healthy Controls: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

Seyyedeh Sahar Asgari Ghalebin; Sajjad Basharpoor; Niloofar Mikaeili; Nader Hajloo; Fatemeh Gholipour

doi:10.19090/pp.v19i2.2633

Authors

Seyyedeh Sahar Asgari Ghalebin Department of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1833-1301
Sajjad Basharpoor Department of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2920-2605
Niloofar Mikaeili Department of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5510-5983
Nader Hajloo Department of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2935-7455
Fatemeh Gholipour Jam Hospital, Tehran, Iran https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6387-1413

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19090/pp.v19i2.2633

Keywords:

narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, metabolite, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

Narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders are complex psychological conditions characterized by enduring and maladaptive patterns of thinking, emotions, and behavior, with substantial biological differences. Alterations in N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glutamate (Glu) may be associated with the neurobiological underpinnings of Narcissistic and Antisocial Personality Disorders. These neurometabolites play crucial roles in emotional regulation and impulse control. The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic differences between individuals with these two personality disorders and healthy controls. In a cross-sectional study, 180 participants, including 60 with narcissistic personality disorder, 60 with antisocial personality disorder, and 60 healthy controls, underwent proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) to measure and compare the concentrations of the neurometabolites NAA, GABA, and Glu in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Our results indicated significant group differences in the GABA/Cr and Glu/Cr ratios in the OFC region and in the NAA/Cr and GABA/Cr ratios in the ACC (p < .001). Specifically, GABA levels were reduced in both personality disorders compared to the control group, whereas glutamate levels were increased. The present study demonstrates that reduction of GABA and the increase of Glu in the OFC, along with the decrease of NAA and GABA in the ACC, may result in neuronal functioning impairment in patients with narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders, in comparison with the control group. This may contribute to a better understanding of these disorders and improve diagnosis and treatment efficacy.

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