La violencia sexual y su efecto en las estructuras límbicas.

Abstract

Introduction. Sexual violence is a public health problem with significant psychological and neurobiological consequences, particularly on the limbic system, which is responsible for regulating emotions, memory, and the stress response. Given the increasing prevalence of this problem and the need to better understand its effects on the brain, the objective of this study was to analyze the alterations that sexual violence causes in limbic structures. Methodology. A descriptive literature review was conducted. Scientific articles published over the past ten years were searched in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases, selecting studies that addressed the relationship between sexual violence and neurobiological changes in the limbic system. Results. Analysis of 30 studies revealed alterations primarily in the hippocampus, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex, as well as changes in the prefrontal cortex and corpus callosum. These changes included reduced volume, hyperactivity, and alterations in connectivity, associated with hypervigilance, intrusive memories, emotional dysregulation, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Conclusion. The evidence indicates that sexual violence causes structural and functional alterations in the limbic system, especially when it occurs during early stages of development, highlighting the importance of early detection and intervention and of continuing to investigate this issue.