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Koerner S, Staginnus M, Cornwell H, Smaragdi A, González-Madruga K, Pauli R, Rogers JC, Gao Y, Chester S, Townend S, Bernhard A, Martinelli A, Kohls G, Raschle NM, Konrad K, Stadler C, Freitag CM, De Brito SA, Fairchild G. Does the Relationship between Age and Brain Structure Differ in Youth with Conduct Disorder? Res Child Adolesc Psychopathol 2024; 52:1135-1146. [PMID: 38557727 PMCID: PMC11217071 DOI: 10.1007/s10802-024-01178-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Conduct disorder (CD) is characterised by persistent antisocial and aggressive behaviour and typically emerges in childhood or adolescence. Although several authors have proposed that CD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, very little evidence is available about brain development in this condition. Structural brain alterations have been observed in CD, and some indirect evidence for delayed brain maturation has been reported. However, no detailed analysis of age-related changes in brain structure in youth with CD has been conducted. Using cross-sectional MRI data, this study aimed to explore differences in brain maturation in youth with CD versus healthy controls to provide further understanding of the neurodevelopmental processes underlying CD. 291 CD cases (153 males) and 379 healthy controls (160 males) aged 9-18 years (Mage = 14.4) were selected from the European multisite FemNAT-CD study. Structural MRI scans were analysed using surface-based morphometry followed by application of the ENIGMA quality control protocols. An atlas-based approach was used to investigate group differences and test for group-by-age and group-by-age-by-sex interactions in cortical thickness, surface area and subcortical volumes. Relative to healthy controls, the CD group showed lower surface area across frontal, temporal and parietal regions as well as lower total surface area. No significant group-by-age or group-by-age-by-sex interactions were observed on any brain structure measure. These findings suggest that CD is associated with lower surface area across multiple cortical regions, but do not support the idea that CD is associated with delayed brain maturation, at least within the age bracket considered here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Koerner
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Ruth Pauli
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jack C Rogers
- Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yidian Gao
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Sally Chester
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Anka Bernhard
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Anne Martinelli
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
- School of Psychology, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gregor Kohls
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nora Maria Raschle
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development at the University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Centre Zurich (ZNZ), University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Konrad
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- JARA- Brain Institute II, Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, RWTH Aachen and Research Centre Juelich, Juelich, Germany
| | - Christina Stadler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Stephane A De Brito
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Jiang Y, Gao Y, Dong D, Sun X, Situ W, Yao S. The amygdala volume moderates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and callous-unemotional traits in adolescents with conduct disorder. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024:10.1007/s00787-024-02482-y. [PMID: 38832960 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-024-02482-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
CU traits, characterized by shallow affect, lack of fear, and absence of remorse, have been moderately associated with childhood maltreatment in a recent meta-analysis. However, the potential impact of brain structures remains undetermined. This paper examines the relationship between callous-unemotional (CU) traits, childhood maltreatment, and amygdala volumes. In this study, we used a region-of-interest (ROI) analysis to explore the interaction between the volumes of the amygdala, childhood maltreatment, and the manifestation of CU traits in adolescents diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD, N = 67), along with a comparison group of healthy-control youths (HCs, N = 89). The ROI analysis revealed no significant group differences in the bilateral amygdalar volumes. Significant positive correlation was discovered between all forms of child maltreatment (except for physical neglect) and CU traits across subjects. But the interaction of physical abuse and amygdala volumes was only significant within CD patients. Notably, a sensitivity analysis suggested that gender significantly influences these findings. These results contribute critical insights into the etiology of CU traits, emphasizing the need for customized clinical assessment tools and intervention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Jiang
- Department of Psychology, School of Education Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Cognition and Human Behavior Key Laboratory of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Research Base for Mental Health Education of Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yidian Gao
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Daifeng Dong
- Medical Psychological Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqiang Sun
- Medical Psychological Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijun Situ
- Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqiao Yao
- Medical Psychological Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center on Psychiatry and Psychology, Changsha, People's Republic of China
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Wang Y, Ma L, Wang J, Liu N, Men W, Tan S, Gao JH, Qin S, He Y, Dong Q, Tao S. Association of emotional and behavioral problems with the development of the substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus, and red nucleus volumes and asymmetries from childhood to adolescence: A longitudinal cohort study. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:117. [PMID: 38403656 PMCID: PMC10894865 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02803-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The substantia nigra (SN), subthalamic nucleus (STN), and red nucleus (RN) have been widely studied as important biomarkers of degenerative diseases. However, how they develop in childhood and adolescence and are affected by emotional behavior has not been studied thus far. This population-based longitudinal cohort study used data from a representative sample followed two to five times. Emotional and behavioral problems were assessed with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Linear mixed models were used to map developmental trajectories and behavioral regulation. Using an innovative automated image segmentation technique, we quantified the volumes and asymmetries of the SN, STN and RN with 1226 MRI scans of a large longitudinal sample of 667 subjects aged 6-15 years and mapped their developmental trajectories. The results showed that the absolute and relative volumes of the bilateral SN and right STN showed linear increases, while the absolute volume of the right RN and relative volume of the bilateral RN decreased linearly, these effects were not affected by gender. Hyperactivity/inattention weakened the increase in SN volume and reduced the absolute volume of the STN, conduct problems impeded the RN volume from decreasing, and emotional symptoms changed the direction of SN lateralization. This longitudinal cohort study mapped the developmental trajectories of SN, STN, and RN volumes and asymmetries from childhood to adolescence, and found the association of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, and hyperactivity/inattention with these trajectories, providing guidance for preventing and intervening in cognitive and emotional behavioral problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanpei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Leilei Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Jiali Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Ningyu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Weiwei Men
- Center for MRI Research, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Shuping Tan
- Psychiatry Research Center, Beijing HuiLongGuan Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, 100096, China
| | - Jia-Hong Gao
- Center for MRI Research, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Shaozheng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Yong He
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Qi Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Sha Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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Jiang Y, Gao Y, Dong D, Sun X, Situ W, Yao S. Brain Anatomy in Boys with Conduct Disorder: Differences Among Aggression Subtypes. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2024; 55:3-13. [PMID: 35704134 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-022-01360-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Aggression is a core feature of conduct disorder (CD), but the motivation, execution of aggression may vary. A deeper understanding of the neural substrates of aggressive behaviours is critical for effective clinical intervention. Seventy-six Boys with CD (50 with impulsive aggression (I-CD) and 26 with premeditated aggression (P-CD)) and 69 healthy controls (HCs) underwent a structural MRI scan and behavioural assessments. Whole-brain analyses revealed that, compared to HCs, the I-CD group showed significant cortical thinning in the right frontal cortex, while the P-CD group demonstrated significant folding deficits in the bilateral superior parietal cortex. Both types of aggression negatively correlated with the left amygdala volume, albeit in different ways. The present results demonstrated that the complex nature of aggression relies on differentiated anatomical substrates, highlighting the importance of exploring differential circuit-targeted interventions for CD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Jiang
- Medical Psychological Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, No. 139, Middle Renmin Road, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139, Middle Renmin Road, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, South China Normal University, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yidian Gao
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Daifeng Dong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Sun
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weijun Situ
- Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139, Middle Renmin Road, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Shuqiao Yao
- Medical Psychological Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, No. 139, Middle Renmin Road, 410011, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
- Medical Psychological Center, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center on Psychiatry and Psychology, Changsha, China.
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, China.
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Zhang R, Blair RJR, Blair KS, Dobbertin M, Elowsky J, Bashford-Largo J, Dominguez AJ, Hatch M, Bajaj S. Reduced grey matter volume in adolescents with conduct disorder: a region-of-interest analysis using multivariate generalized linear modeling. DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 3:25. [PMID: 37975932 PMCID: PMC10656392 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-023-00052-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conduct disorder (CD) involves a group of behavioral and emotional problems that usually begins during childhood or adolescence. Structural brain alterations have been observed in CD, including the amygdala, insula, ventrolateral and medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and fusiform gyrus. The current study developed a multivariate generalized linear model (GLM) to differentiate adolescents with CD from typically developing (TD) adolescents in terms of grey matter volume (GMV). METHODS The whole-brain structural MRI data were collected from 96 adolescents with CD (mean age = [Formula: see text] years; mean IQ = [Formula: see text]; 63 males) and 90 TD individuals (mean age = [Formula: see text] years; mean IQ = [Formula: see text]; 59 males) matched on age, IQ, and sex. Region-wise GMV was extracted following whole-brain parcellation into 68 cortical and 14 subcortical regions for each participant. A multivariate GLM was developed to predict the GMV of the pre-hypothesized regions-of-interest (ROIs) based on CD diagnosis, with intracranial volume, age, sex, and IQ serving as the covariate. RESULTS A diagnosis of CD was a significant predictor for GMV in the right pars orbitalis, right insula, right superior temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, and left amygdala (F(1, 180) = 5.460-10.317, p < 0.05, partial eta squared = 0.029-0.054). The CD participants had smaller GMV in these regions than the TD participants (MCD-MTD = [- 614.898] mm3-[- 53.461] mm3). CONCLUSIONS Altered GMV within specific regions may serve as a biomarker for the development of CD in adolescents. Clinical work can potentially target these biomarkers to treat adolescents with CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Zhang
- Mark and Mary Stevens Neuroimaging and Informatics Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - R James R Blair
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre, Mental Health Services, Capital Region of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karina S Blair
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Matthew Dobbertin
- Inpatient Psychiatric Care Unit, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE, USA
| | - Jaimie Elowsky
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | | | - Ahria J Dominguez
- Clinical Health, Emotion, and Neuroscience (CHEN) Laboratory, Department of Neurological Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Melissa Hatch
- Mind and Brain Health Labs (MBHL), Department of Neurological Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Sahil Bajaj
- Department of Cancer Systems Imaging, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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6
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Zhang R, Blair RJR, Blair KS, Dobbertin M, Elowsky J, Bashford-Largo J, Dominguez AJ, Hatch M, Bajaj S. Reduced Grey Matter Volume in Adolescents with Conduct Disorder: A Region-of-Interest Analysis Using Multivariate Generalized Linear Modeling. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3425545. [PMID: 37961148 PMCID: PMC10635381 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3425545/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Background Conduct disorder (CD) involves a group of behavioral and emotional problems that usually begins during childhood or adolescence. Structural brain alterations have been observed in CD, including the amygdala, insula, ventrolateral and medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and fusiform gyrus. The current study developed a multivariate generalized linear model (GLM) to differentiate adolescents with CD from typically developing (TD) adolescents in terms of grey matter volume (GMV). Methods The whole-brain structural MRI data were collected from 96 adolescents with CD (mean age = years; mean IQ = ; 63 males) and 90 TD individuals (mean age = years; mean IQ = ; 59 males) matched on age, IQ, and sex. Region-wise GMV was extracted following whole-brain parcellation into 68 cortical and 14 subcortical regions for each participant. A multivariate GLM was developed to predict the GMV of the pre-hypothesized regions-of-interest (ROIs) based on CD diagnosis, with intracranial volume, age, sex, and IQ serving as the covariate. Results A diagnosis of CD was a significant predictor for GMV in the right pars orbitalis, right insula, right superior temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, and left amygdala (F(1, 180) = 5.460 - 10.317, p < 0.05, partial eta squared = 0.029 - 0.054). The CD participants had smaller GMV in these regions than the TD participants (MCD - MTD = [-614.898] mm3 - [-53.461] mm3). Conclusions Altered GMV within specific regions may serve as a biomarker for the development of CD in adolescents. Clinical work can potentially target these biomarkers to treat adolescents with CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Zhang
- University of Southern California
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sahil Bajaj
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
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Fairchild G, Sully K, Passamonti L, Staginnus M, Darekar A, Sonuga-Barke EJS, Toschi N. Neuroanatomical markers of familial risk in adolescents with conduct disorder and their unaffected relatives. Psychol Med 2023; 53:1721-1731. [PMID: 34607618 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291721003202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported brain structure abnormalities in conduct disorder (CD), but it is unclear whether these neuroanatomical alterations mediate the effects of familial (genetic and environmental) risk for CD. We investigated brain structure in adolescents with CD and their unaffected relatives (URs) to identify neuroanatomical markers of familial risk for CD. METHODS Forty-one adolescents with CD, 24 URs of CD probands, and 38 healthy controls (aged 12-18), underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging. We performed surface-based morphometry analyses, testing for group differences in cortical volume, thickness, surface area, and folding. We also assessed the volume of key subcortical structures. RESULTS The CD and UR groups both displayed structural alterations (lower surface area and folding) in left inferior parietal cortex compared with controls. In contrast, CD participants showed lower insula and pars opercularis volume than controls, and lower surface area and folding in these regions than controls and URs. The URs showed greater folding in rostral anterior cingulate and inferior temporal cortex than controls and greater medial orbitofrontal folding than CD participants. The surface area and volume differences were not significant when controlling for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder comorbidity. There were no group differences in subcortical volumes. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that alterations in inferior parietal cortical structure partly mediate the effects of familial risk for CD. These structural changes merit investigation as candidate endophenotypes for CD. Neuroanatomical changes in medial orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex differentiated between URs and the other groups, potentially reflecting neural mechanisms of resilience to CD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kate Sully
- School of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Luca Passamonti
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Bioimaging and Molecular Physiology, National Research Council, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Angela Darekar
- Department of Medical Physics, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Nicola Toschi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Boston, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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8
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Staginnus M, Cornwell H, Toschi N, Oosterling M, Paradysz M, Smaragdi A, González-Madruga K, Pauli R, Rogers JC, Bernhard A, Martinelli A, Kohls G, Raschle NM, Konrad K, Stadler C, Freitag CM, De Brito SA, Fairchild G. Testing the Ecophenotype Model: Cortical Structure Alterations in Conduct Disorder With Versus Without Childhood Maltreatment. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2023:S2451-9022(22)00347-0. [PMID: 36925341 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Childhood maltreatment is common in youths with conduct disorder (CD), and both CD and maltreatment have been linked to neuroanatomical alterations. Nonetheless, our understanding of the contribution of maltreatment to the neuroanatomical alterations observed in CD remains limited. We tested the applicability of the ecophenotype model to CD, which holds that maltreatment-related psychopathology is (neurobiologically) distinct from psychopathology without maltreatment. METHODS Surface-based morphometry was used to investigate cortical volume, thickness, surface area, and gyrification in a mixed-sex sample of participants with CD (n = 114) and healthy control subjects (HCs) (n = 146), ages 9 to 18 years. Using vertexwise general linear models adjusted for sex, age, total intracranial volume, and site, the control group was compared with the overall CD group and the CD subgroups with (n = 49) versus without (n = 65) maltreatment (assessed by the Children's Bad Experiences interview). These subgroups were also directly compared. RESULTS The overall CD group showed lower cortical thickness in the right inferior frontal gyrus. CD youths with a history of maltreatment showed more widespread structural alterations relative to HCs, comprising lower thickness, volume, and gyrification in inferior and middle frontal regions. Conversely, CD youths with no history of maltreatment only showed greater left superior temporal gyrus folding relative to HCs. When contrasting the CD subgroups, those with maltreatment displayed lower right superior temporal gyrus volume, right precentral gyrus surface area, and gyrification in frontal, temporal, and parietal regions. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with the ecophenotype model, findings indicated that CD youths with versus without maltreatment differ neurobiologically. This highlights the importance of considering maltreatment history in neuroimaging studies of CD and other disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Harriet Cornwell
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Toschi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," Rome, Italy; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Michal Paradysz
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Ruth Pauli
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jack C Rogers
- Institute for Mental Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anka Bernhard
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anne Martinelli
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; School of Psychology, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gregor Kohls
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nora Maria Raschle
- Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Konrad
- Child Neuropsychology Section, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany; JARA-Brain Institute II, Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, RWTH Aachen and Research Centre Juelich, Juelich, Germany
| | - Christina Stadler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephane A De Brito
- Centre for Human Brain Health, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme Fairchild
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
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9
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Jiang Y, Gao Y, Dong D, Sun X, Situ W, Yao S. Structural abnormalities in adolescents with conduct disorder and high versus low callous unemotional traits. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:193-203. [PMID: 34635947 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-021-01890-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
There may be distinct conduct disorder (CD) etiologies and neural morphologies in adolescents with high callous unemotional (CU) traits versus low CU traits. Here, we employed surface-based morphometry methods to investigate morphological differences in adolescents diagnosed with CD [42 with high CU traits (CD-HCU) and 40 with low CU traits (CD-LCU)] and healthy controls (HCs, N = 115) in China. Whole-brain analyses revealed significantly increased cortical surface area (SA) in the left inferior temporal cortex and the right precuneus, but decreased SA in the left superior temporal cortex in the CD-LCU group, compared with the HC group. There were no significant cortical SA differences between the CD-HCU and the HC groups. Compared to the CD-HCU group, the CD-LCU group had a greater cortical thickness (CT) in the left rostral middle frontal cortex. Region-of-interest analyses revealed significant group differences in the right hippocampus, with CD-HCU group having lower right hippocampal volumes than HCs. We did not detect significant group differences in the amygdalar volume, however, the right amygdalar volume was found to be a significant moderator of the correlation between CU traits and the proactive aggression in CD patients. The present results suggested that the manifestations of CD differ between those with high CU traits versus low CU traits, and underscore the importance of sample characteristics in understanding the neural substrates of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yidian Gao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Daifeng Dong
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqiang Sun
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijun Situ
- Department of Radiology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqiao Yao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- National Clinical Research Center on Psychiatry and Psychology, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Deming P, Heilicher M, Koenigs M. How reliable are amygdala findings in psychopathy? A systematic review of MRI studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 142:104875. [PMID: 36116578 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala is a key component in predominant neural circuitry models of psychopathy. Yet, after two decades of neuroimaging research on psychopathy, the reproducibility of amygdala findings is questionable. We systematically reviewed MRI studies (81 of adults, 53 of juveniles) to determine the consistency of amygdala findings across studies, as well as within specific types of experimental tasks, community versus forensic populations, and the lowest- versus highest-powered studies. Three primary findings emerged. First, the majority of studies found null relationships between psychopathy and amygdala structure and function, even in the context of theoretically relevant tasks. Second, findings of reduced amygdala activity were more common in studies with low compared to high statistical power. Third, the majority of peak coordinates of reduced amygdala activity did not fall primarily within the anatomical bounds of the amygdala. Collectively, these findings demonstrate significant gaps in the empirical support for the theorized role of the amygdala in psychopathy and indicate the need for novel research perspectives and approaches in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Deming
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Mickela Heilicher
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 6001 Research Park Blvd., Madison, WI 53719, USA
| | - Michael Koenigs
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 6001 Research Park Blvd., Madison, WI 53719, USA
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11
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Backhausen LL, Herting MM, Tamnes CK, Vetter NC. Best Practices in Structural Neuroimaging of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Neuropsychol Rev 2022; 32:400-418. [PMID: 33893904 PMCID: PMC9090677 DOI: 10.1007/s11065-021-09496-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) offers immense potential for increasing our understanding of how anatomical brain development relates to clinical symptoms and functioning in neurodevelopmental disorders. Clinical developmental sMRI may help identify neurobiological risk factors or markers that may ultimately assist in diagnosis and treatment. However, researchers and clinicians aiming to conduct sMRI studies of neurodevelopmental disorders face several methodological challenges. This review offers hands-on guidelines for clinical developmental sMRI. First, we present brain morphometry metrics and review evidence on typical developmental trajectories throughout adolescence, together with atypical trajectories in selected neurodevelopmental disorders. Next, we discuss challenges and good scientific practices in study design, image acquisition and analysis, and recent options to implement quality control. Finally, we discuss choices related to statistical analysis and interpretation of results. We call for greater completeness and transparency in the reporting of methods to advance understanding of structural brain alterations in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea L. Backhausen
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Megan M. Herting
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Christian K. Tamnes
- PROMENTA Research Center, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- NORMENT, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nora C. Vetter
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine of the Technische Universitaet Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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12
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Mendez MF. THE IMPLICATIONS OF FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA FOR BRAIN DYSFUNCTION IN PSYCHOPATHY. Biol Psychol 2022; 171:108342. [PMID: 35487297 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2022.108342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how psychopathy compares with brain disease can help clarify its underlying mechanisms. This literature review is a broad overview of the neurobiology of psychopathic traits in comparison to behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), a disorder uniquely associated with criminal behavior. In addition to violation of social norms, both psychopathy and bvFTD result in impaired socioemotional perception and empathy, impulsivity, and altered moral judgment. Despite wide areas of decreased function in psychopathy, structural changes are primarily evident in amygdala and, to a lesser extent, anterior insula, whereas in bvFTD neuropathology involves a wider paralimbic region. In psychopathy, relatively intact medial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortices facilitate theory of mind and psychopathic traits such as deceitfulness and manipulation, bold fearlessness, and risk-taking behavior. In conclusion, many frontotemporal areas are hypoactive in psychopathy and bvFTD, but differences in dysfunctional connectivity in psychopathy vs. direct involvement in bvFTD potentially explain similarities and differences between these two conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario F Mendez
- Department of Neurology and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA); Neurology Service, Neurobehavior Unit, V.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System.
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13
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Gallant C, Good D. Examining the role of neuropsychology in community-based pediatric mental health care. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY: CHILD 2022; 12:104-121. [PMID: 35184633 DOI: 10.1080/21622965.2022.2038169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Numerous investigations have demonstrated a link between neuropsychological functioning and mental health. Children with a history of neurological compromise are more vulnerable to mental illness and there is a growing literature indicating that neurocognitive functioning predicts psychosocial outcomes in adulthood. However, not much is known about how neuropsychological information is utilized in community-based mental health care. Thus, we examined what neuropsychological information is available to pediatric centers and how neuropsychological functioning relates to treatment outcomes in these settings. Two content analyses were conducted to identify mental health indicators across different intake sources and these results were compared to a structured intake. Further, a series of standardized neurocognitive and neuroemotional measures were completed and these indices were correlated with treatment outcomes. Qualitative results confirmed that neuropsychological factors are often overlooked when utilizing current approaches and that observable symptoms are a primary focus of treatment. Additionally, neurocognitive deficits were associated with self-reported interpersonal difficulties and caregivers' reports of externalizing; however, only caregiver-reported externalizing challenges correlated with treatment outcomes. Importantly, neurocognitive challenges were associated with long-term treatment responses, suggesting that these factors may be an important therapeutic target. Collectively, these findings indicate a need to incorporate neuropsychological factors in pediatric mental health treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn Gallant
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Canada
| | - Dawn Good
- Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catharines, Canada
- Centre for Neuroscience, Brock University, St. Catharines, Canada
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14
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Wang H, Zhu WF, Xia LX. Brain structural correlates of aggression types from the perspective of disinhibition–control: A voxel-based morphometric study. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-02712-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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15
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Menon SS, Krishnamurthy K. Multimodal Ensemble Deep Learning to Predict Disruptive Behavior Disorders in Children. Front Neuroinform 2021; 15:742807. [PMID: 34899225 PMCID: PMC8652047 DOI: 10.3389/fninf.2021.742807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder, collectively referred to as disruptive behavior disorders (DBDs), are prevalent psychiatric disorders in children. Early diagnosis of DBDs is crucial because they can increase the risks of other mental health and substance use disorders without appropriate psychosocial interventions and treatment. However, diagnosing DBDs is challenging as they are often comorbid with other disorders, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, and depression. In this study, a multimodal ensemble three-dimensional convolutional neural network (3D CNN) deep learning model was used to classify children with DBDs and typically developing children. The study participants included 419 females and 681 males, aged 108–131 months who were enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. Children were grouped based on the presence of DBDs (n = 550) and typically developing (n = 550); assessments were based on the scores from the Child Behavior Checklist and on the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-age Children-Present and Lifetime version for DSM-5. The diffusion, structural, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were used as input data to the 3D CNN. The model achieved 72% accuracy in classifying children with DBDs with 70% sensitivity, 72% specificity, and an F1-score of 70. In addition, the discriminative power of the classifier was investigated by identifying the cortical and subcortical regions primarily involved in the prediction of DBDs using a gradient-weighted class activation mapping method. The classification results were compared with those obtained using the three neuroimaging modalities individually, and a connectome-based graph CNN and a multi-scale recurrent neural network using only the rs-fMRI data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreevalsan S Menon
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
| | - K Krishnamurthy
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
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16
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Internalizing-externalizing comorbidity and regional brain volumes in the ABCD study. Dev Psychopathol 2021; 33:1620-1633. [PMID: 36238203 PMCID: PMC9555230 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421000560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite nonoverlapping diagnostic criteria, internalizing and externalizing disorders show substantial comorbidity. This comorbidity is attributable, at least in part, to transdiagnostic neuroaffective mechanisms. Both unipolar depression and externalizing disorders are characterized by structural and functional compromises in the striatum and its projections to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and other frontal regions. Smaller volumes and dampened reward responding in these regions are associated with anhedonia and irritability - mood states that cut across the internalizing and externalizing spectra. In contrast, smaller amygdala volumes and dampened amygdala function differentiate externalizing disorders from internalizing disorders. Little is known, however, about associations between internalizing-externalizing comorbidity and brain volumes in these regions, or whether such patterns differ by sex. Using a transdiagnostic, research domain criteria (RDoC)-informed approach, we evaluate associations between heterotypic (Internalizing × Externalizing) symptom interactions and striatal, amygdalar, and ACC volumes among participants in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (N = 6,971, mean age 9.9 years, 51.6% female). Heterotypic symptoms were associated with ACC volumes for both sexes, over and above the main effects of internalizing and externalizing alone. However, heterotypic comorbidity was associated with larger ACC volumes for girls, but with smaller ACC volumes for boys. These findings suggest a need for further studies and transdiagnostic assessment by sex.
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17
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Winters DE, Sakai JT, Carter RM. Resting-state network topology characterizing callous-unemotional traits in adolescence. Neuroimage Clin 2021; 32:102878. [PMID: 34911187 PMCID: PMC8604808 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Callous-unemotional (CU) traits, a youth antisocial phenotype, are hypothesized to associate with aberrant connectivity (dis-integration) across the salience (SAL), default mode (DMN), and frontoparietal (FPN) networks. However, CU traits have a heterogeneous presentation and previous research has not modeled individual heterogeneity in resting-state connectivity amongst adolescents with CU traits. The present study models individual-specific network maps and examines topological features of individual and subgroup maps in relation to CU traits. METHODS Participants aged 13-17 (n = 84, male = 55%, female = 45%) completed resting-state functional connectivity and the inventory of callous-unemotional traits as part of the Nathan Klein Rockland study. A sparse network approach (GIMME) was used to derive individual-level and subgroup maps of all participants. We then examined heterogeneous network features, including positive and negative connection density, associated with CU traits. RESULTS Higher rates of CU traits increased probability of inclusion in one subgroup, which had the highest mean level of CU traits. Analysis of network features reveals less density (positive and negative) within the FPN and greater density between DMN-FPN associated with CU traits. DISCUSSION Findings indicate heterogeneous person-specific connections and some subgroup connections amongst adolescents associate with CU traits. Higher CU traits associate with lower density in the FPN, which has been associated with attention and inhibition, and higher density between the DMN-FPN, which have been linked with cognitive control, social working memory, and empathy. Our findings suggest less efficiency in FPN function which, when considered mechanistically, could result in difficulty suppressing DMN when task positive networks are engaged. This is an area for further exploration but could explain cognitive and socio-affective impairments in CU traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew E Winters
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Joseph T Sakai
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - R McKell Carter
- Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA; Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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18
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Abstract
Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by a constellation of affective, interpersonal, lifestyle and antisocial features whose antecedents can be identified in a subgroup of young people showing severe antisocial behaviour. The prevalence of psychopathy in the general population is thought to be ~1%, but is up to 25% in prisoners. The aetiology of psychopathy is complex, with contributions of both genetic and environmental risk factors, and gene-environment interactions and correlations. Psychopathy is characterized by structural and functional brain abnormalities in cortical (such as the prefrontal and insular cortices) and subcortical (for example, the amygdala and striatum) regions leading to neurocognitive disruption in emotional responsiveness, reinforcement-based decision-making and attention. Although no effective treatment exists for adults with psychopathy, preliminary intervention studies targeting key neurocognitive disturbances have shown promising results. Given that psychopathy is often comorbid with other psychiatric disorders and increases the risk of physical health problems, educational and employment failure, accidents and criminality, the identification of children and young people at risk for this personality disorder and preventative work are important. Indeed, interventions that target the antecedents of psychopathic features in children and adolescents have been found to be effective.
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19
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Delfin C, Andiné P, Wallinius M, Björnsdotter M. Structural Brain Correlates of the Externalizing Spectrum in Young Adults. Neuroscience 2021; 463:1-13. [PMID: 33774123 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The externalizing spectrum, including traits and behaviors such as aggression, reduced inhibitiory control and substance abuse, is associated with altered prefrontal brain morphology. However, the degree to which different manifestations of the externalizing spectrum are associated with distinct or overlapping variations in individual brain morphology is unclear. Here, we therefore used structural magnetic resonance imaging, self-report assessment, and a response inhibition task in a sample of 59 young adults to examine how cortical thickness in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) relate to four different manifestations of the externalizing spectrum: disinhibition, callous aggression, substance abuse, and behavioral inhibitory control. Using Bayesian linear regression models controlling for age, gender, and years of education, we found that the different manifestations of the externalizing spectrum were associated with both distinct and overlapping morphology variations. Specifically, both callous aggression and inhibitory control was associated with increased cortical thickness of the OFC, a region involved in reward processing, decision-making, and regulation of anxiety and fear. Both disinhibition and substance abuse were associated with DLPFC thickness, although with opposite association patterns, possibly reflecting processes related to inhibitory control, working memory and attention. Moreover, disinhibition, but not callous aggression or substance abuse, was associated with behavioral inhibitory control. Our results provide further support for the link between externalizing behaviors and prefrontal brain morphology, while identifying distinct prefrontal areas associated with different clinically relevant manifestations. These findings may help guide further research aimed at developing novel treatment and intervention strategies for externalizing behaviors and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Delfin
- Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Research Department, Regional Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Växjö, Sweden.
| | - Peter Andiné
- Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Forensic Psychiatry, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Märta Wallinius
- Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Research Department, Regional Forensic Psychiatric Clinic, Växjö, Sweden; Lund Clinical Research on Externalizing and Developmental Psychopathology, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Malin Björnsdotter
- Centre for Ethics, Law and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Affective Psychiatry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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20
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Ibrahim K, Kalvin C, Li F, He G, Pelphrey KA, McCarthy G, Sukhodolsky DG. Sex differences in medial prefrontal and parietal cortex structure in children with disruptive behavior. Dev Cogn Neurosci 2021; 47:100884. [PMID: 33254067 PMCID: PMC7704291 DOI: 10.1016/j.dcn.2020.100884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in brain structure in children with disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) remain poorly understood. This study examined sex differences in gray matter volume in children with DBD in a priori regions-of-interest implicated in the pathophysiology of disruptive behavior. We then conducted a whole-brain analysis of cortical thickness to examine sex differences in regions not included in our hypothesis. Exploratory analyses investigated unique associations between structure, and dimensional measures of severity of disruptive behavior and callous-unemotional traits. This cross-sectional study included 88 children with DBD (30 females) aged 8-16 years and 50 healthy controls (20 females). Structural MRI data were analyzed using surface-based morphometry to test for interactions between sex and group. Multiple-regression analyses tested for sex-specific associations between structure, callous-unemotional traits, and disruptive behavior severity. Boys with DBD showed reduced gray matter volume in the left ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and reduced cortical thickness in the supramarginal gyrus, but not girls compared to respective controls. Dimensional analyses revealed associations between sex, callous-unemotional traits, and disruptive behavior for amygdala and vmPFC volume, and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex cortical thickness. Sex-specific differences in prefrontal structures involved in emotion regulation may support identification of neural biomarkers of disruptive behavior to inform target-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Ibrahim
- Yale University School of Medicine, Child Study Center, United States.
| | - Carla Kalvin
- Yale University School of Medicine, Child Study Center, United States
| | - Fangyong Li
- Yale University School of Medicine, Center for Analytical Sciences, United States
| | - George He
- Yale University, Department of Psychology, United States
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21
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Wallace GL, Richard E, Peng CS, Knodt AR, Hariri AR. Subclinical eating disorder traits are correlated with cortical thickness in regions associated with food reward and perception. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 14:346-352. [PMID: 30617787 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-018-0007-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral traits associated with various forms of psychopathology are conceptualized as dimensional, varying from those present in a frank disorder to subclinical expression. Demonstrating links between these behavioral traits and neurobiological indicators, such as brain structure, provides one form of validation for this view. However, unlike behavioral dimensions associated with other forms of psychopathology (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, antisocial disorders), eating disorder traits have not been investigated in this manner in spite of the potential that such an approach has to elucidate etiological mechanisms. Therefore, we examined for the first time neural endophenotypes of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia via dimensional traits (measured using the Eating Disorders Inventory-3) in a large subclinical sample of young adults (n = 456 and n = 247, respectively; ages = 18-22 years) who each provided a structural magnetic resonance imaging scan. Cortical thickness was quantified at 81,924 vertices across the cortical surface. We found: 1) increasing eating disorder traits correlated with thinner cortex in the insula and orbitofrontal cortex, among other regions, and 2) using these regions as seeds, increasing eating disorder trait scores negatively modulated structural covariance between these seed regions and other cortical regions linked to regulatory and sensorimotor functions (e.g., frontal and temporal cortices). These findings parallel those found in the clinical literature (i.e., thinner cortex in these food-related regions in individuals with eating disorders) and therefore provide evidence supporting the dimensional view of behavioral traits associated with eating disorders. Extending this approach to genetic and neuroimaging genetics studies holds promise to inform etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory L Wallace
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, The George Washington University, Hall of Government Room 211, 2115 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
| | - Emily Richard
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, The George Washington University, Hall of Government Room 211, 2115 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Cynthia S Peng
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, The George Washington University, Hall of Government Room 211, 2115 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Annchen R Knodt
- Laboratory of NeuroGenetics, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ahmad R Hariri
- Laboratory of NeuroGenetics, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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22
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Seleem MA, El-Shafey R, Shahin LT, Abdel-Aziz LE, Elkonaisy NM, Marey YK, Rizkallah M, Baghdadi M. Volumetric brain abnormalities in adolescents with conduct disorder with and without attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder: a case control study. MIDDLE EAST CURRENT PSYCHIATRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43045-020-00025-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Conduct disorder (CD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder in youth with heterogeneous presentations and hazardous outcomes on family and society. Identifying potential biological markers may help in better understanding and management of the problem. This work aims to explore the potential volumetric brain abnormalities in an Arab-Egyptian sample of conduct disordered youth with and without comorbid ADHD. A total of 27 subjects with conduct disorder, 14 of which also fulfilled the criteria of ADHD, in addition to twenty healthy subjects were recruited. A validated Arabic version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents “M.I.N.I-Kid” was carried out. MRI acquisition was performed on 1.5 T Toshiba MRI scanner. Cortical reconstruction and automatic volumetric segmentation were performed with the Freesurfer image analysis suite.
Results
Youth with CD, with and without ADHD, showed significantly lower cortical thicknesses and smaller subcortical volumes in most of the hemispheric areas. When the two patient groups were compared, youth with CD + ADHD had significantly greater cortical thicknesses but smaller subcortical volumes as compared to youth with CD only.
Conclusions
Conduct disorder, comorbid with ADHD, might prove to be a distinct phenotypic entity with different biological substrates, and hence different needed management, from CD without comorbid ADHD.
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23
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Callous-unemotional traits and reduced default mode network connectivity within a community sample of children. Dev Psychopathol 2020; 33:1170-1183. [PMID: 32654667 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420000401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Callous-unemotional (CU) traits characterize a subset of youth at risk for persistent and serious antisocial behavior. Differences in resting state connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) have been associated with CU traits in forensic and clinical samples of adolescents and with deficient interpersonal/affective traits (often operationalized as Factor 1 psychopathy traits) in adults. It is unclear whether these brain-behavior associations extend to community-based children. Using mixed model analyses, we tested the associations between CU traits and within-network resting-state connectivity of seven task-activated networks and the DMN using data from 9,636 9-11-year-olds in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study. Even after accounting for comorbid externalizing problems, higher levels of CU traits were associated with reduced connectivity within the DMN. This finding is consistent with prior literature surrounding psychopathy and CU traits in clinically and forensically based populations, suggesting the correlation likely exists on a spectrum, can be detected in childhood, and is not restricted to children with significant antisocial behavior.
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24
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Mihailov A, Philippe C, Gloaguen A, Grigis A, Laidi C, Piguet C, Houenou J, Frouin V. Cortical signatures in behaviorally clustered autistic traits subgroups: a population-based study. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:207. [PMID: 32594096 PMCID: PMC7320967 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00894-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Extensive heterogeneity in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has hindered the characterization of consistent biomarkers, which has led to widespread negative results. Isolating homogenized subtypes could provide insight into underlying biological mechanisms and an overall better understanding of ASD. A total of 1093 participants from the population-based "Healthy Brain Network" cohort (Child Mind Institute in the New York City area, USA) were selected based on score availability in behaviors relevant to ASD, aged 6-18 and IQ >= 70. All participants underwent an unsupervised clustering analysis on behavioral dimensions to reveal subgroups with ASD traits, identified by the presence of social deficits. Analysis revealed three socially impaired ASD traits subgroups: (1) high in emotionally dysfunctional traits, (2) high in ADHD-like traits, and (3) high in anxiety and depressive symptoms. 527 subjects had good quality structural MRI T1 data. Site effects on cortical features were adjusted using the ComBat method. Neuroimaging analyses compared cortical thickness, gyrification, and surface area, and were controlled for age, gender, and IQ, and corrected for multiple comparisons. Structural neuroimaging analyses contrasting one combined heterogeneous ASD traits group against controls did not yield any significant differences. Unique cortical signatures, however, were observed within each of the three individual ASD traits subgroups versus controls. These observations provide evidence of ASD traits subtypes, and confirm the necessity of applying dimensional approaches to extract meaningful differences, thus reducing heterogeneity and paving the way to better understanding ASD traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeline Mihailov
- Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191, France.
| | - Cathy Philippe
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France
| | - Arnaud Gloaguen
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France ,CNRS-Centrale Supélec, 3 rue Joliot-Curie, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Antoine Grigis
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France
| | - Charles Laidi
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France ,APHP, Mondor Univ. Hospitals, DMU IMPACT, INSERM, U955, Translational Neuropsychiatry Team, University of Paris-Est Créteil, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Camille Piguet
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France ,grid.8591.50000 0001 2322 4988Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Josselin Houenou
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France ,APHP, Mondor Univ. Hospitals, DMU IMPACT, INSERM, U955, Translational Neuropsychiatry Team, University of Paris-Est Créteil, 94000 Créteil, France
| | - Vincent Frouin
- grid.460789.40000 0004 4910 6535Neurospin, Institut Joliot, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, 91191 France
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25
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Cortical thickness of the insula and prefrontal cortex relates to externalizing behavior: Cross-sectional and prospective findings. Dev Psychopathol 2020; 33:1437-1447. [PMID: 32638690 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579420000619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Externalizing behaviors (EBs) pertain to a diverse set of aggressive, antisocial, and potentially destructive behaviors directed toward the external environment. They range from nonclinical to clinical in severity, associated with opposition, aggression, hyperactivity, or impulsivity, and are considered a risk factor for the emergence of psychopathology later in adulthood. Focusing on community adolescents (N = 102; 49 female and 53 male adolescents; age range 12-19 years), this study aimed to explore the relations between EBs and the cortical thickness of regions of interest as well as to identify possible risk markers that could improve understanding of the EB construct. Using a mixed cross-sectional and prospective design (1-year follow-up), we report specific associations with cortical thickness of the left insular, right orbitofrontal, and left anterior cingulate cortex. Specifically, thinner left insular and right orbitofrontal cortex was associated with higher EBs, and thinner left anterior cingulate cortex predicted less reduction in EBs 1 year later. In addition, further examination of the aggression and rule-breaking subscales of the Youth/Adult Self-Report, used to assess EBs, revealed specific associations with insular subregions. Findings suggest that cortical structure morphology may significantly relate to the expression and maintenance of EBs within the general population of adolescents.
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26
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Cardinale EM. Parsing Comorbidity: The Challenge of Studying Neurobiological Correlates of Callous-Unemotional Traits. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2020; 5:470-472. [PMID: 32386684 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elise M Cardinale
- Emotion and Development Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland.
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27
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Jiang Y, Ming Q, Gao Y, Dong D, Sun X, Zhang X, Situ W, Yao S, Rao H. Effects of BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms on brain structures and behaviors in adolescents with conduct disorder. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2020; 29:479-488. [PMID: 31264106 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-019-01363-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that neural abnormalities in conduct disorder (CD) may be subject to genetic influences, but few imaging studies have taken genetic variants into consideration. The Val66Met polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has emerged as a high-interest genetic variant due to its importance in cortical maturation, and several studies have implicated its involvement in neurodevelopmental disorders. Thus, it is unclear how this polymorphism may influence brain anatomy and aberrant behaviors in CD. A total of 65 male adolescents with CD and 69 gender-, IQ- and socioeconomic status-matched healthy controls (HCs) (age range 13-17 years) were enrolled in this study. Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to assess the main effects of CD diagnosis, BDNF genotype, and diagnosis-genotype interactions on brain anatomy and behaviors. We detected a significant main effect of BDNF genotype on temporal gyrification and antisocial behaviors, but not on CD symptoms. Diagnosis-genotype interactive effects were found for cortical thickness of the superior temporal and adjacent areas. These results suggest that the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism may exert its influence both on neural alterations and delinquent behaviors in CD patients. This initial evidence highlights the importance of elucidating potentially different pathways between BDNF genotype and cortical alterations or delinquent behaviors in CD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Jiang
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139, Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Center for Studies of Psychological Application, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingsen Ming
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139, Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yidian Gao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139, Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Daifeng Dong
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139, Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqiang Sun
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139, Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaocui Zhang
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139, Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijun Situ
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuqiao Yao
- Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No. 139, Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China. .,National Clinical Research Center on Psychiatry and Psychology, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China. .,Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hengyi Rao
- Center of Functional Neuroimaging, Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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28
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Maurer JM, Paul S, Anderson NE, Nyalakanti PK, Kiehl KA. Youth with elevated psychopathic traits exhibit structural integrity deficits in the uncinate fasciculus. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 26:102236. [PMID: 32182577 PMCID: PMC7076567 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Youth with elevated psychopathic traits represent a particularly severe subgroup of adolescents characterized by extreme behavioral problems and exhibit comparable neurocognitive deficits as adult offenders with psychopathic traits. A consistent finding among adults with elevated psychopathic traits is reduced white matter structural integrity of the right uncinate fasciculus (UF). The UF is a major white matter tract that connects regions of the anterior temporal lobe (i.e., the amygdala) to higher-order executive control regions, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. However, the relationship between youth psychopathic traits and structural integrity of the UF has been mixed, with some studies identifying a negative relationship between adolescent psychopathy scores and FA in the UF, and others identifying a positive relationship. Here, we investigated structural integrity of the left and right UF using fractional anisotropy (FA) in a large sample of n = 254 male adolescent offenders recruited from maximum-security juvenile correctional facilities. Psychopathic traits were assessed using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV). Consistent with hypotheses, interpersonal and affective traits (i.e., PCL:YV Factor 1 and Facet 1 scores) were associated with reduced FA in the right UF. Additionally, lifestyle traits (i.e., PCL:YV Facet 3 scores) were associated with increased FA in the left UF. Results are consistent with previously published studies reporting reduced FA in the right UF in adult psychopathic offenders and increased left UF FA in youth meeting criteria for certain externalizing disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Michael Maurer
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA; The Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), Albuquerque, NM, USA.
| | - Subhadip Paul
- The Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Nathaniel E Anderson
- The Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Prashanth K Nyalakanti
- The Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Kent A Kiehl
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA; The Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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29
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Vetter NC, Backhausen LL, Buse J, Roessner V, Smolka MN. Altered brain morphology in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with and without comorbid conduct disorder/oppositional defiant disorder. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:973-983. [PMID: 31691449 PMCID: PMC7267962 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
About 50% of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) patients suffer from comorbidity with oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD). Most previous studies on structural morphology did not differentiate between pure (ADHD-only) and comorbid ADHD (ADHD+ODD/CD). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the structural profile of ADHD-only versus ADHD+ODD/CD spanning the indices subcortical and cortical volume, cortical thickness, and surface area. We predicted a reduced total gray matter, striatal, and cerebellar volume in both patient groups and a reduced amygdalar and hippocampal volume for ADHD+ODD/CD. We also explored alterations in prefrontal volume, thickness, and surface area. We acquired structural images from an adolescent sample ranging from 11 to 17 years, matched with regard to age, pubertal status, and IQ-including 36 boys with ADHD-only, 26 boys with ADHD+ODD/CD, and 30 typically developing (TD) boys. We analyzed structural data with FreeSurfer. We found reductions in total gray matter and total surface area for both patient groups. Boys with ADHD+ODD/CD had a thicker cortex than the other groups in a right rostral middle frontal cluster, which was related to stronger ODD/CD symptoms, even when controlling for ADHD symptoms. No group differences in local cortical volume or surface area emerged. We demonstrate the necessity to carefully differentiate between ADHD and ADHD+ODD/CD. The increased rostral middle frontal thickness might hint at a delayed adolescent cortical thinning in ADHD+ODD/CD. Patients with the double burden ADHD and ODD or CD seem to be even more affected than patients with pure ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora C. Vetter
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging CenterTechnische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
- Department of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryFaculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Lea L. Backhausen
- Department of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryFaculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Judith Buse
- Department of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryFaculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Veit Roessner
- Department of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryFaculty of Medicine of the Technische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Michael N. Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging CenterTechnische Universität DresdenDresdenGermany
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30
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Carlisi CO, Moffitt TE, Knodt AR, Harrington H, Ireland D, Melzer TR, Poulton R, Ramrakha S, Caspi A, Hariri AR, Viding E. Associations between life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour and brain structure in a population-representative longitudinal birth cohort. Lancet Psychiatry 2020; 7:245-253. [PMID: 32078822 PMCID: PMC7033555 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30002-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies with behavioural and neuropsychological tests have supported the developmental taxonomy theory of antisocial behaviour, which specifies abnormal brain development as a fundamental aspect of life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour, but no study has characterised features of brain structure associated with life-course-persistent versus adolescence-limited trajectories, as defined by prospective data. We aimed to determine whether life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour is associated with neurocognitive abnormalities by testing the hypothesis that it is also associated with brain structure abnormalities. METHODS We used structural MRI data collected at 45 years of age from participants in the Dunedin Study, a population-representative longitudinal birth cohort of 1037 individuals born between April 1, 1972, and March 31, 1973, in Dunedin, New Zealand, who were resident in the province and who participated in the first assessment at 3 years of age. Participants underwent MRI, and mean global cortical surface area and cortical thickness were extracted for each participant. Participants had been previously subtyped as exhibiting life-course-persistent, adolescence-limited, or no history of persistent antisocial behaviour (ie, a low trajectory group) based on informant-reported and self-reported conduct problems from the ages of 7 years to 26 years. Study personnel who processed the MRI images were masked to antisocial group membership. We used linear estimated ordinary least squares regressions to compare each antisocial trajectory group (life-course persistent and adolescence limited) with the low trajectory group to examine whether antisocial behaviour was related to abnormalities in mean global surface area and mean cortical thickness. Next, we used parcel-wise linear regressions to identify antisocial trajectory group differences in surface area and cortical thickness. All results were controlled for sex and false discovery rate corrected. FINDINGS Data from 672 participants were analysed, and 80 (12%) were classified as having life-course-persistent antisocial behaviour, 151 (23%) as having adolescence-limited antisocial behaviour, and 441 (66%) as having low antisocial behaviour. Individuals on the life-course-persistent trajectory had a smaller mean surface area (standardised β=-0·18 [95% CI -0·24 to -0·11]; p<0·0001) and lower mean cortical thickness (standardised β=-0·10 [95% CI -0·19 to -0·02]; p=0·020) than did those in the low group. Compared with the low group, the life-course-persistent group had reduced surface area in 282 of 360 anatomically defined parcels and thinner cortex in 11 of 360 parcels encompassing circumscribed frontal and temporal regions associated with executive function, affect regulation, and motivation. Widespread differences in brain surface morphometry were not observed for the adolescence-limited group compared with either non-antisocial behaviour or life-course-persistent groups. INTERPRETATION These analyses provide initial evidence that differences in brain surface morphometry are associated with life-course-persistent, but not adolescence-limited, antisocial behaviour. As such, the analyses are consistent with the developmental taxonomy theory of antisocial behaviour and highlight the importance of using prospective longitudinal data to define different patterns of antisocial behaviour development. FUNDING US National Institute on Aging, Health Research Council of New Zealand, New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, UK Medical Research Council, Avielle Foundation, and Wellcome Trust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina O Carlisi
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Terrie E Moffitt
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Laboratory of NeuroGenetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Research Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Annchen R Knodt
- Laboratory of NeuroGenetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Honalee Harrington
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - David Ireland
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Tracy R Melzer
- Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; New Zealand Brain Research Institute, Christchurch, New Zealand; Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearo Centre of Research Excellence, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Richie Poulton
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Sandhya Ramrakha
- Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Avshalom Caspi
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Social, Genetic, and Developmental Psychiatry Research Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ahmad R Hariri
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA; Laboratory of NeuroGenetics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Essi Viding
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
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31
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Budhiraja M, Pereira JB, Lindner P, Westman E, Jokinen J, Savic I, Tiihonen J, Hodgins S. Cortical structure abnormalities in females with conduct disorder prior to age 15. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2019; 289:37-44. [PMID: 31101397 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Among females, conduct disorder (CD) before age 15 is associated with multiple adverse outcomes in adulthood. The few existing structural neuroimaging studies of females with CD report abnormalities of gray matter volumes. The present study compared cortical thickness and surface area of young women with childhood/adolescent CD and healthy women to determine whether cortical abnormalities were present in adulthood and whether they were related to prior CD. Structural brain images from 31 women with CD and 25 healthy women were analyzed using FreeSurfer. Group differences between cortical thickness and surface area were assessed using cluster-wise corrections with Monte Carlo simulations. Women with prior CD, relative to healthy women, showed: (1) reduced cortical thickness in left fusiform gyrus extending up to entorhinal cortex and lingual gyrus; (2) reduced surface area in right superior parietal cortex; (3) increased surface area in left superior temporal gyrus, and right precentral gyrus. These differences remained significant after adjusting for past comorbid disorders, current symptoms of anxiety and depression, current substance use as well as maltreatment. The study suggests that among females, CD prior to age 15 is associated with cortical structure abnormalities in brain regions involved in emotion processing and social interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenal Budhiraja
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Psychiatry Building R5:00, Karolinska, University Hospital, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden.
| | - Joana B Pereira
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philip Lindner
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Psychiatry Building R5:00, Karolinska, University Hospital, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| | - Eric Westman
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jussi Jokinen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Psychiatry Building R5:00, Karolinska, University Hospital, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden; Department of Clinical Sciences/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ivanka Savic
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jari Tiihonen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Psychiatry Building R5:00, Karolinska, University Hospital, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| | - Sheilagh Hodgins
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Psychiatry Building R5:00, Karolinska, University Hospital, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden; Département de Psychiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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32
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Cardinale EM, O'Connell K, Robertson EL, Meena LB, Breeden AL, Lozier LM, VanMeter JW, Marsh AA. Callous and uncaring traits are associated with reductions in amygdala volume among youths with varying levels of conduct problems. Psychol Med 2019; 49:1449-1458. [PMID: 30139402 PMCID: PMC7074929 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291718001927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of callous unemotional (CU) traits, and associated externalizing behaviors, is believed to reflect underlying dysfunction in the amygdala. Studies of adults with CU traits or psychopathy have linked characteristic patterns of amygdala dysfunction to reduced amygdala volume, but studies in youths have not thus far found evidence of similar amygdala volume reductions. The current study examined the association between CU traits and amygdala volume by modeling CU traits and externalizing behavior as independent continuous variables, and explored the relative contributions of callous, uncaring, and unemotional traits. METHODS CU traits and externalizing behavior problems were assessed in 148 youths using the Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits (ICU) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). For a subset of participants (n = 93), high-resolution T1-weighted images were collected and volume estimates for the amygdala were extracted. RESULTS Analyses revealed that CU traits were associated with increased externalizing behaviors and decreased bilateral amygdala volume. These results were driven by the callous and uncaring sub-factors of CU traits, with unemotional traits unrelated to either externalizing behaviors or amygdala volume. Results persisted after accounting for covariation between CU traits and externalizing behaviors. Bootstrap mediation analyses indicated that CU traits mediated the relationship between reduced amygdala volume and externalizing severity. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide evidence that callous-uncaring traits account for reduced amygdala volume among youths with conduct problems. These findings provide a framework for further investigation of abnormal amygdala development as a key causal pathway for the development of callous-uncaring traits and conduct problems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katherine O'Connell
- Georgetown University Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience,Washington, DC,USA
| | | | - Lydia B Meena
- Georgetown University Department of Psychology,Washington, DC,USA
| | - Andrew L Breeden
- Georgetown University Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience,Washington, DC,USA
| | - Leah M Lozier
- Georgetown University Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience,Washington, DC,USA
| | - John W VanMeter
- Georgetown University Center for Functional and Molecular Imaging,Washington, DC,USA
| | - Abigail A Marsh
- Georgetown University Department of Psychology,Washington, DC,USA
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33
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Fairchild G, Hawes DJ, Frick PJ, Copeland WE, Odgers CL, Franke B, Freitag CM, De Brito SA. Conduct disorder. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2019; 5:43. [PMID: 31249310 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-019-0095-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Conduct disorder (CD) is a common and highly impairing psychiatric disorder that usually emerges in childhood or adolescence and is characterized by severe antisocial and aggressive behaviour. It frequently co-occurs with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and often leads to antisocial personality disorder in adulthood. CD affects ~3% of school-aged children and is twice as prevalent in males than in females. This disorder can be subtyped according to age at onset (childhood-onset versus adolescent-onset) and the presence or absence of callous-unemotional traits (deficits in empathy and guilt). The aetiology of CD is complex, with contributions of both genetic and environmental risk factors and different forms of interplay among the two (gene-environment interaction and correlation). In addition, CD is associated with neurocognitive impairments; smaller grey matter volume in limbic regions such as the amygdala, insula and orbitofrontal cortex, and functional abnormalities in overlapping brain circuits responsible for emotion processing, emotion regulation and reinforcement-based decision-making have been reported. Lower hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic reactivity to stress has also been reported. Management of CD primarily involves parent-based or family-based psychosocial interventions, although stimulants and atypical antipsychotics are sometimes used, especially in individuals with comorbid ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David J Hawes
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Paul J Frick
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA and Institute for Learning Science and Teacher Education, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Candice L Odgers
- Department of Psychological Science, School of Social Ecology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Barbara Franke
- Departments of Human Genetics and Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephane A De Brito
- School of Psychology and Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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34
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Bolhuis K, Viding E, Muetzel RL, El Marroun H, Kocevska D, White T, Tiemeier H, Cecil CAM. Neural Profile of Callous Traits in Children: A Population-Based Neuroimaging Study. Biol Psychiatry 2019; 85:399-407. [PMID: 30554676 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2018.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Callous traits during childhood, e.g., lack of remorse and shallow affect, are a key risk marker for antisocial behavior. Although callous traits have been found to be associated with structural and functional brain alterations, evidence to date has been almost exclusively limited to small, high-risk samples of boys. We characterized gray and white matter brain correlates of callous traits in over 2000 children from the general population. METHODS Data on mother-reported callous traits and brain imaging were collected at age 10 years from participants of the Generation R Study. Structural magnetic resonance imaging was used to investigate brain morphology using volumetric indices and whole-brain analyses (n = 2146); diffusion tensor imaging was used to assess global and specific white matter microstructure (n = 2059). RESULTS Callous traits were associated with lower global brain (e.g., total brain) volumes as well as decreased cortical surface area in frontal and temporal regions. Global mean diffusivity was negatively associated with callous traits, suggesting higher white matter microstructural integrity in children with elevated callous traits. Multiple individual tracts, including the uncinate and cingulum, contributed to this global association. Whereas no gender differences were observed for global volumetric indices, white matter associations were present only in girls. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to provide a systematic characterization of the structural neural profile of callous traits in the general pediatric population. These findings extend previous work based on selected samples by demonstrating that childhood callous traits in the general population are characterized by widespread macrostructural and microstructural differences across the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koen Bolhuis
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Essi Viding
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ryan L Muetzel
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hanan El Marroun
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Desana Kocevska
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Generation R Study Group, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tonya White
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Radiology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Charlotte A M Cecil
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Psychology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
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The structural brain correlates of callous-unemotional traits in incarcerated male adolescents. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2019; 22:101703. [PMID: 30738373 PMCID: PMC6370859 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Youth with severe conduct problems impose a significant cost on society by engaging in high levels of antisocial and aggressive behavior. Within this group, adolescents with high levels of callous- unemotional traits have been found to exhibit more severe and persistent patterns of antisocial behavior than youth with severe conduct problems but normative levels of callous-unemotional traits. Existing neuroimaging studies, along with theoretical accounts of psychopathology, suggest that dysfunction within the paralimbic cortex and limbic system may underlie elevated levels of callous-unemotional traits. The present study examines this hypothesis by investigating gray matter correlates associated with callous-unemotional traits. A sample of incarcerated male adolescents (N = 269), were assessed using voxel-based morphometry. Callous-unemotional traits were assessed using the Inventory of Callous-Unemotional traits (Frick 2004). Total callous-unemotional traits were negatively correlated with anterior temporal lobe gray matter volume (GMV). Callous traits in particular exhibited a reliable negative correlation with gray matter volume in nearly every paralimbic brain region examined. Uncaring traits were positively correlated with GMV in the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortices. These findings demonstrate specific neural features within the paralimbic cortex and limbic system that accompany elevated callous-unemotional traits and serves to expand our understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms that may give rise to severe conduct problems in youth. Total callous-unemotional traits were negatively correlated with anterior temporal lobe gray matter volume (GMV). Callous traits negatively correlated with GMV in nearly every paralimbic regions examined. Uncaring traits were positively correlated with GMV in the orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortices.
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Fehlbaum LV, Raschle NM, Menks WM, Prätzlich M, Flemming E, Wyss L, Euler F, Sheridan M, Sterzer P, Stadler C. Altered Neuronal Responses During an Affective Stroop Task in Adolescents With Conduct Disorder. Front Psychol 2018; 9:1961. [PMID: 30405475 PMCID: PMC6200838 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Conduct disorder (CD) is a psychiatric disorder of childhood and adolescence which has been linked to deficient emotion processing and regulation. The behavioral and neuronal correlates targeting the interaction of emotion processing and response inhibition are still under investigation. Whole-brain event-related fMRI was applied during an affective Stroop task in 39 adolescents with CD and 39 typically developing adolescents (TD). Participants were presented with an emotional stimulus (negative/neutral) followed by a Stroop task with varying cognitive load (congruent/incongruent/blank trials). fMRI analysis included standard preprocessing, region of interest analyses (amygdala, insula, ventromedial prefrontal cortex) and whole-brain analyses based on a 2(group) × 2(emotion) × 3(task) full-factorial ANOVA. Adolescents with CD made significantly more errors, while reaction times did not significantly differ compared to TD. Additionally, we observed a lack of downregulation of left amygdala activity in response to incongruent trials and increased anterior insula activity for CD relative to TD during affective Stroop task processing [cluster-level family-wise error-corrected (p < 0.05)]. Even though no three-way interaction (group × emotion × task) interaction was detected, the findings presented still provide evidence for altered neuronal underpinnings of the interaction of emotion processing and response inhibition in CD. Moreover, our results may corroborate previous evidence of emotion dysregulation as a core dysfunction in CD. Future studies shall focus on investigating the interaction of emotion processing and response inhibition in CD subgroups (e.g., variations in callous-unemotional traits, impulsivity, or anxiety).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn V. Fehlbaum
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nora M. Raschle
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Willeke M. Menks
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Martin Prätzlich
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Eva Flemming
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Letizia Wyss
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Felix Euler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Margaret Sheridan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Philipp Sterzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité – University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christina Stadler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychiatric University Clinics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Bos MG, Wierenga LM, Blankenstein NE, Schreuders E, Tamnes CK, Crone EA. Longitudinal structural brain development and externalizing behavior in adolescence. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2018; 59:1061-1072. [PMID: 30255501 PMCID: PMC6175471 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cross-sectional studies report relations between externalizing behavior and structural abnormalities in cortical thickness of prefrontal regions and volume reductions in subcortical regions. To understand how these associations emerge and develop, longitudinal designs are pivotal. METHOD In the current longitudinal study, a community sample of children, adolescents and young adults (N = 271) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in three biennial waves (680 scans). At each wave, aspects of externalizing behavior were assessed with parent-reported aggression and rule-breaking scores (Child Behavior Checklist), and self-reported aggression scores (Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire). Regions of interest (ROIs) were selected based on prior research: dorsolateral prefrontal (dlPFC), orbitofrontal (OFC), anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), insula, and parahippocampal cortex, as well as subcortical regions. Linear mixed models were used to assess the longitudinal relation between externalizing behavior and structural brain development. Structural covariance analyses were employed to identify whether longitudinal relations between ROIs (maturational coupling) were associated with externalizing behavior. RESULTS Linear mixed model analyses showed a negative relation between parent-reported aggression and right hippocampal volume. Moreover, this longitudinal relation was driven by change in hippocampal volume and not initial volume of hippocampus at time point 1. Exploratory analyses showed that stronger maturational coupling between prefrontal regions, the limbic system, and striatum was associated with both low and high externalizing behavior. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings reinforce the hypothesis that altered structural brain development coincides with development of more externalizing behavior. These findings may guide future research on normative and deviant development of externalizing behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marieke G.N. Bos
- Institute of PsychologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands,Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Lara M. Wierenga
- Institute of PsychologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands,Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Neeltje E. Blankenstein
- Institute of PsychologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands,Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands,Institute of Education and Child StudiesLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands,Department of Child and Adolescent PsychiatryVU University Medical CenterAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Schreuders
- Institute of PsychologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands,Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands,Department of Developmental PsychologyTilburg UniversityTilburgThe Netherlands
| | - Christian K. Tamnes
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of OsloOsloNorway,Department of PsychiatryDiakonhjemmet HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Eveline A. Crone
- Institute of PsychologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands,Leiden Institute for Brain and CognitionLeidenThe Netherlands
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Conduct disorder in adolescent females: current state of research and study design of the FemNAT-CD consortium. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2018; 27:1077-1093. [PMID: 29948230 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-018-1172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Conduct disorder (CD) is a common and highly impairing psychiatric disorder of childhood and adolescence that frequently leads to poor physical and mental health outcomes in adulthood. The prevalence of CD is substantially higher in males than females, and partly due to this, most research on this condition has used all-male or predominantly male samples. Although the number of females exhibiting CD has increased in recent decades, the majority of studies on neurobiological measures, neurocognitive phenotypes, and treatments for CD have focused on male subjects only, despite strong evidence for sex differences in the aetiology and neurobiology of CD. Here, we selectively review the existing literature on CD and related phenotypes in females, focusing in particular on sex differences in CD symptoms, patterns of psychiatric comorbidity, and callous-unemotional personality traits. We also consider studies investigating the neurobiology of CD in females, with a focus on studies using genetic, structural and functional neuroimaging, psychophysiological, and neuroendocrinological methods. We end the article by providing an overview of the study design of the FemNAT-CD consortium, an interdisciplinary, multi-level and multi-site study that explicitly focuses on CD in females, but which is also investigating sex differences in the causes, developmental course, and neurobiological correlates of CD.
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Brain structure abnormalities in young women who presented conduct disorder in childhood/adolescence. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2018; 17:869-885. [PMID: 28695488 PMCID: PMC5548815 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-017-0519-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The phenotype and genotype of antisocial behavior among females are different from those among males. Previous studies have documented structural brain alterations in males with antisocial behavior, yet little is known about the neural correlates of female antisocial behavior. The present study examined young women who had presented conduct disorder (CDW) prior to age 15 to determine whether brain abnormalities are present in adulthood and whether the observed abnormalities are associated with comorbid disorders or maltreatment that typically characterize this population. Using magnetic resonance imaging and voxel-based morphometry, we compared gray matter volumes (GMV) of 31 women who presented CD by midadolescence and 25 healthy women (HW), age, on average, 23 years. Participants completed structured, validated interviews to diagnose mental disorders, and validated questionnaires to document physical and sexual abuse. Relative to HW, CDW presented increased GMV in the left superior temporal gyrus that was associated with past alcohol and drug dependence, current use of alcohol and drugs, and current anxiety and depression symptoms and maltreatment. Additionally, CDW displayed reduced GMV in lingual gyrus, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate cortex that was associated with past comorbid disorders, current alcohol and drugs use, current anxiety and depression symptoms, and maltreatment. The CDW also presented reduced total GMV that was associated with past comorbid disorders and current anxiety/depression symptoms. Alterations of brain structure were observed among young adult females with prior CD, relative to HW, all of which were associated with internalizing and externalizing disorders and maltreatment that typically accompany CD.
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40
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Cheetham A, Allen NB, Whittle S, Simmons J, Yücel M, Lubman DI. Amygdala volume mediates the relationship between externalizing symptoms and daily smoking in adolescence: A prospective study. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2018; 276:46-52. [PMID: 29661490 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The current study examined amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) volumes as mediators of the relationship between externalizing symptoms and daily smoking in adolescence. Externalizing behaviors are among the most robust predictors of adolescent smoking, and there is emerging evidence that volume reductions in the amygdala and OFC are associated with risk for substance misuse as well as aggressive, impulsive, and disinhibited tendencies. Using a prospective longitudinal design, we recruited 109 adolescents who provided data on brain volume and externalizing behaviors at age 12, and on smoking at age 18. Daily smoking at age 18 (n = 27) was predicted by externalizing behaviors (measured by the self-report Child Behavior Checklist, CBCL) as well as smaller right amygdala volumes. Right amygdala volumes mediated the relationship between externalizing symptoms and later smoking. These findings provide important insight into the neurobiological risk factors associated with adolescent smoking, and, more generally, into factors that may be associated with vulnerability to substance use disorders and related psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Cheetham
- Turning Point, Eastern Health, Australia; Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Australia
| | - Nicholas B Allen
- Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia; Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, USA
| | - Sarah Whittle
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Julian Simmons
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Murat Yücel
- Monash Clinical and Imaging Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Australia
| | - Dan I Lubman
- Turning Point, Eastern Health, Australia; Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Australia.
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Miskovich TA, Anderson NE, Harenski CL, Harenski KA, Baskin-Sommers AR, Larson CL, Newman JP, Hanson JL, Stout DM, Koenigs M, Shollenbarger SG, Lisdahl KM, Decety J, Kosson DS, Kiehl KA. Abnormal cortical gyrification in criminal psychopathy. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2018; 19:876-882. [PMID: 29946511 PMCID: PMC6008502 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by interpersonal and emotional abnormalities (e.g., lack of empathy and guilt) and antisocial behavior. Psychopathy has been associated with a number of structural brain abnormalities, most notably in orbital frontal and anterior/medial temporal regions, that may underlie psychopathic individuals' problematic behaviors. Past research evaluating cortical structure in psychopathy has considered thickness and volume, but to date no study has investigated differences in cortical gyrification, a measure of cortical complexity thought to reflect early neurodevelopmental cortical connectivity. Methods We measured the local gyrification index (LGI) in a sample of 716 adult male inmates and performed a whole brain analysis assessing the relationship between LGI and total and factor scores on the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). Results PCL-R scores were negatively associated with LGI measures within the right hemisphere in the midcingulate cortex (MCC) and adjacent regions of the superior frontal gyrus as well as lateral superior parietal cortex. Additionally, PCL-R Factor 1 scores (interpersonal/affective traits) predicted less LGI within the right MCC and adjacent dorsomedial frontal cortex and greater LGI in bilateral occipital cortex. Scores on PCL-R Factor 2, indicating impulsivity and antisocial behaviors, did not predict LGI in any regions. Conclusions These findings suggest that psychopathy, particularly the interpersonal and affective traits, are associated with specific structural abnormalities that form during neurodevelopment and these abnormalities may underlie aberrant brain functioning in regions important in emotional processing and cognitive control. We examined cortical gyrification associations with psychopathy in a sample of 716 incarcerated individuals. Psychopathy was negatively associated with gyrification in the midcingulate cortex and superior parietal cortex. Factor 1 scores negatively predicted gyrification in the midcingulate cortex, but positively in bilateral occipital cortex. These results may represent a vulnerability for psychopathy, which may help elucidate the etiology of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara A Miskovich
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Nathaniel E Anderson
- The nonprofit Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Carla L Harenski
- The nonprofit Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Keith A Harenski
- The nonprofit Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | | | - Christine L Larson
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Joseph P Newman
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States
| | - Jessica L Hanson
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Daniel M Stout
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, VA San Diego Healthcare System, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, United States
| | - Michael Koenigs
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States
| | | | - Krista M Lisdahl
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-, Milwaukee, United States
| | - Jean Decety
- Department of Psychology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - David S Kosson
- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Kent A Kiehl
- The nonprofit Mind Research Network (MRN) & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute (LBERI), Albuquerque, NM, United States; Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States.
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42
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Irritability Trajectories, Cortical Thickness, and Clinical Outcomes in a Sample Enriched for Preschool Depression. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2018; 57:336-342.e6. [PMID: 29706163 PMCID: PMC5932635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cross-sectional, longitudinal, and genetic associations exist between irritability and depression. Prior studies have examined developmental trajectories of irritability, clinical outcomes, and associations with child and familial depression. However, studies have not integrated neurobiological measures. The present study examined developmental trajectories of irritability, clinical outcomes, and cortical structure among preschoolers oversampled for depressive symptoms. METHOD Beginning at 3 to 5 years old, a sample of 271 children enriched for early depressive symptoms were assessed longitudinally by clinical interview. Latent class mixture models identified trajectories of irritability severity. Risk factors, clinical outcomes, and cortical thickness were compared across trajectory classes. Cortical thickness measures were extracted from 3 waves of magnetic resonance imaging at 7 to 12 years of age. RESULTS Three trajectory classes were identified among these youth: 53.50% of children exhibited elevated irritability during preschool that decreased longitudinally, 30.26% exhibited consistently low irritability, and 16.24% exhibited consistently elevated irritability. Compared with other classes, the elevated irritability class exhibited higher rates of maternal depression, early life adversity, later psychiatric diagnoses, and functional impairment. Further, elevated baseline irritability predicted later depression beyond adversity and personal and maternal depression history. The elevated irritability class exhibited a thicker cortex in the left superior frontal and temporal gyri and the right inferior parietal lobule. CONCLUSION Irritability manifested with specific developmental trajectories in this sample enriched for early depression. Persistently elevated irritability predicted poor psychiatric outcomes, higher risk for later depression, and decreased overall function later in development. Greater frontal, temporal, and parietal cortical thickness also was found, providing neural correlates of this risk trajectory.
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van Donkelaar MMJ, Hoogman M, Pappa I, Tiemeier H, Buitelaar JK, Franke B, Bralten J. Pleiotropic Contribution of MECOM and AVPR1A to Aggression and Subcortical Brain Volumes. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:61. [PMID: 29666571 PMCID: PMC5891600 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive and proactive subtypes of aggression have been recognized to help parse etiological heterogeneity of this complex phenotype. With a heritability of about 50%, genetic factors play a role in the development of aggressive behavior. Imaging studies implicate brain structures related to social behavior in aggression etiology, most notably the amygdala and striatum. This study aimed to gain more insight into the pathways from genetic risk factors for aggression to aggression phenotypes. To this end, we conducted genome-wide gene-based cross-trait meta-analyses of aggression with the volumes of amygdala, nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus to identify genes influencing both aggression and aggression-related brain volumes. We used data of large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of: (a) aggressive behavior in children and adolescents (EAGLE, N = 18,988); and (b) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-based volume measures of aggression-relevant subcortical brain regions (ENIGMA2, N = 13,171). Second, the identified genes were further investigated in a sample of healthy adults (mean age (SD) = 25.28 (4.62) years; 43% male) who had genome-wide genotyping data and questionnaire data on aggression subtypes available (Brain Imaging Genetics, BIG, N = 501) to study their effect on reactive and proactive subtypes of aggression. Our meta-analysis identified two genes, MECOM and AVPR1A, significantly associated with both aggression risk and nucleus accumbens (MECOM) and amygdala (AVPR1A) brain volume. Subsequent in-depth analysis of these genes in healthy adults (BIG), including sex as an interaction term in the model, revealed no significant subtype-specific gene-wide associations. Using cross-trait meta-analysis of brain measures and psychiatric phenotypes, this study generated new hypotheses about specific links between genes, the brain and behavior. Results indicate that MECOM and AVPR1A may exert an effect on aggression through mechanisms involving nucleus accumbens and amygdala volumes, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein M J van Donkelaar
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Martine Hoogman
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Irene Pappa
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jan K Buitelaar
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Janita Bralten
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands.,Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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Leblanc É, Dégeilh F, Daneault V, Beauchamp MH, Bernier A. Attachment Security in Infancy: A Preliminary Study of Prospective Links to Brain Morphometry in Late Childhood. Front Psychol 2017; 8:2141. [PMID: 29312029 PMCID: PMC5733037 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
A large body of longitudinal research provides compelling evidence for the critical role of early attachment relationships in children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. It is expected that parent–child attachment relationships may also impact children’s brain development, however, studies linking normative caregiving experiences and brain structure are scarce. To our knowledge, no study has yet examined the associations between the quality of parent–infant attachment relationships and brain morphology during childhood. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the prospective links between mother–infant attachment security and whole-brain gray matter (GM) volume and thickness in late childhood. Attachment security toward the mother was assessed in 33 children when they were 15 months old. These children were then invited to undergo structural magnetic resonance imaging at 10–11 years of age. Results indicated that children more securely attached to their mother in infancy had larger GM volumes in the superior temporal sulcus and gyrus, temporo-parietal junction, and precentral gyrus in late childhood. No associations between attachment security and cortical thickness were found. If replicated, these results would suggest that a secure attachment relationship and its main features (e.g., adequate dyadic emotion regulation, competent exploration) may influence GM volume in brain regions involved in social, cognitive, and emotional functioning through experience-dependent processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Élizabel Leblanc
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Fanny Dégeilh
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Véronique Daneault
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Functional Neuroimaging Unit, University of Montreal's Geriatric Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Miriam H Beauchamp
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Annie Bernier
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Raschle NM, Menks WM, Fehlbaum LV, Steppan M, Smaragdi A, Gonzalez-Madruga K, Rogers J, Clanton R, Kohls G, Martinelli A, Bernhard A, Konrad K, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Freitag CM, Fairchild G, De Brito SA, Stadler C. Callous-unemotional traits and brain structure: Sex-specific effects in anterior insula of typically-developing youths. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2017. [PMID: 29527490 PMCID: PMC5842751 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2017.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Callous-unemotional traits are characterized by a lack of empathy, a disregard for others' feelings and shallow or deficient affect, such as a lack of remorse or guilt. Neuroanatomical correlates of callous-unemotional traits have been demonstrated in clinical samples (i.e., adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders). However, it is unknown whether callous-unemotional traits are associated with neuroanatomical correlates within normative populations without clinical levels of aggression or antisocial behavior. Here we investigated the relationship between callous-unemotional traits and gray matter volume using voxel-based morphometry in a large sample of typically-developing boys and girls (N = 189). Whole-brain multiple regression analyses controlling for site, total intracranial volume, and age were conducted in the whole sample and in boys and girls individually. Results revealed that sex and callous-unemotional traits interacted to predict gray matter volume when considering the whole sample. This interaction was driven by a significant positive correlation between callous-unemotional traits and bilateral anterior insula volume in boys, but not girls. Insula gray matter volume explained 19% of the variance in callous-unemotional traits for boys. Our results demonstrate that callous-unemotional traits are related to variations in brain structure beyond psychiatric samples. This association was observed for boys only, underlining the importance of considering sex as a factor in future research designs. Future longitudinal studies should determine whether these findings hold over childhood and adolescence, and whether the neuroanatomical correlates of callous-unemotional traits are predictive of future psychiatric vulnerability. General scientific summary This study suggests that callous-unemotional traits have a neuroanatomical correlate within typically developing boys, but not girls. Bilateral anterior insula volume explains up to 19% of the variance in callous-unemotional traits in boys. Sex-specific correlations between callous-unemotional (CU) traits and insula volume. CU-traits are positively linked to anterior insula in typically-developing boys. Variations in insula volume explained 19% of the variance in CU-traits in boys. Accounting for sex in neuroanatomical studies of individual differences is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Maria Raschle
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Basel, Psychiatric University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Willeke Martine Menks
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Basel, Psychiatric University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Lynn Valérie Fehlbaum
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Basel, Psychiatric University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Steppan
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Basel, Psychiatric University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Areti Smaragdi
- Academic Unit of Psychology, University of Southampton, Southampton, England, UK
| | | | - Jack Rogers
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England, UK
| | - Roberta Clanton
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, England, UK
| | - Gregor Kohls
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Child Neuropsychology Section, University Hospital Aachen, Germany
| | - Anne Martinelli
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Anka Bernhard
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Kerstin Konrad
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Child Neuropsychology Section, University Hospital Aachen, Germany; JARA-Brain Institute II, Molecular Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, RWTH Aachen & Research Centre Juelich, Germany
| | - Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Child Neuropsychology Section, University Hospital Aachen, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of the RWTH, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christine M Freitag
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | - Christina Stadler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Basel, Psychiatric University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
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46
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Lam BYH, Yang Y, Schug RA, Han C, Liu J, Lee TMC. Psychopathy Moderates the Relationship between Orbitofrontal and Striatal Alterations and Violence: The Investigation of Individuals Accused of Homicide. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:579. [PMID: 29249948 PMCID: PMC5717542 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain structural abnormalities in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and striatum (caudate and putamen) have been observed in violent individuals. However, a uni-modal neuroimaging perspective has been used and prior findings have been mixed. The present study takes the multimodal structural brain imaging approaches to investigate the differential gray matter volumes (GMV) and cortical thickness (CTh) in the OFC and striatum between violent (accused of homicide) and non-violent (not accused of any violent crimes) individuals with different levels of psychopathic traits (interpersonal and unemotional qualities, factor 1 psychopathy and the expressions of antisocial disposition and impulsivity, factor 2 psychopathy). Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging data, psychopathy and demographic information were assessed in sixty seven non-violent or violent adults. The results showed that the relationship between violence and the GMV in the right lateral OFC varied across different levels of the factor 1 psychopathy. At the subcortical level, the psychopathy level (the factor 1 psychopathy) moderated the positive relationship of violence with both left and right putamen GMV as well as left caudate GMV. Although the CTh findings were not significant, overall findings suggested that psychopathic traits moderated the relationship between violence and the brain structural morphology in the OFC and striatum. In conclusion, psychopathy takes upon a significant role in moderating violent behavior which gives insight to design and implement prevention measures targeting violent acts, thereby possibly mitigating their occurrence within the society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Y H Lam
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
| | - Yaling Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Robert A Schug
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, United States
| | - Chenbo Han
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianghong Liu
- School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Tatia M C Lee
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.,Laboratory of Cognitive Affective Neuroscience, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.,The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
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47
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Reidy DE, Krusemark E, Kosson DS, Kearns MC, Smith-Darden J, Kiehl KA. The Development of Severe and Chronic Violence Among Youth: The Role of Psychopathic Traits and Reward Processing. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 2017; 48:967-982. [PMID: 28315981 PMCID: PMC5860650 DOI: 10.1007/s10578-017-0720-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Psychopathic traits are a manifestation of a personality pathology that comprises a core affective-interpersonal dysfunction (callous-unemotional traits) and an impulsive-antisocial behavioral component. Of particular importance, psychopathic traits are associated with the perpetration of some of the most severe acts of violence, and they appear to indicate a subset of youth at risk for earlier onset, greater frequency, and persistence of violent offending. Although these youth represent a minority of the population, they commit a significant proportion of the violence in the general community. In our review, we highlight evidence of a unique neurobiological predisposition that underlies the core affective deficits and describe contemporary accounts for the developmental processes leading to the antisocial behavior associated with psychopathy. Current evidence suggests that, for this subset of youth, the structure and function of neural circuitry supporting emotion processing, reward learning, decision making, and the development of emotion related to empathy may be crucial to understanding why they are at risk for violence. In particular, a reward dominant pattern of neurobehavioral conditioning may explain how these youth progress to some of the most severe and persistent forms of violence. However, this pattern of conditioning may also be essential to the primary prevention of such deleterious behavior. We suspect that effective strategies to prevent such violence may ultimately be informed by understanding these affective and motivational mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis E Reidy
- Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Elizabeth Krusemark
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Millsaps College, Jackson, MS, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David S Kosson
- Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Megan C Kearns
- Division of Violence Prevention, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Kent A Kiehl
- Departments of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
- The Nonprofit Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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48
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Hosking JG, Kastman EK, Dorfman HM, Samanez-Larkin GR, Baskin-Sommers A, Kiehl KA, Newman JP, Buckholtz JW. Disrupted Prefrontal Regulation of Striatal Subjective Value Signals in Psychopathy. Neuron 2017; 95:221-231.e4. [PMID: 28683266 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Psychopathy is a personality disorder with strong links to criminal behavior. While research on psychopathy has focused largely on socio-affective dysfunction, recent data suggest that aberrant decision making may also play an important role. Yet, the circuit-level mechanisms underlying maladaptive decision making in psychopathy remain unclear. Here, we used a multi-modality functional imaging approach to identify these mechanisms in a population of adult male incarcerated offenders. Psychopathy was associated with stronger subjective value-related activity within the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) during inter-temporal choice and with weaker intrinsic functional connectivity between NAcc and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). NAcc-vmPFC connectivity strength was negatively correlated with NAcc subjective value-related activity; however, this putative regulatory pattern was abolished as psychopathy severity increased. Finally, weaker cortico-striatal regulation predicted more frequent criminal convictions. These data suggest that cortico-striatal circuit dysregulation drives maladaptive decision making in psychopathy, supporting the notion that reward system dysfunction comprises an important neurobiological risk factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay G Hosking
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 52 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Erik K Kastman
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 52 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Hayley M Dorfman
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 52 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Gregory R Samanez-Larkin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University, 417 Chapel Dr., Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | | | - Kent A Kiehl
- MIND Institute, 1101 Yale Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, USA
| | - Joseph P Newman
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1202 W Johnson St., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Joshua W Buckholtz
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 52 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, 52 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02144, USA.
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49
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Smaragdi A, Cornwell H, Toschi N, Riccelli R, Gonzalez-Madruga K, Wells A, Clanton R, Baker R, Rogers J, Martin-Key N, Puzzo I, Batchelor M, Sidlauskaite J, Bernhard A, Martinelli A, Kohls G, Konrad K, Baumann S, Raschle N, Stadler C, Freitag C, Sonuga-Barke EJS, De Brito S, Fairchild G. Sex Differences in the Relationship Between Conduct Disorder and Cortical Structure in Adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2017; 56:703-712. [PMID: 28735700 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2017.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies have reported reduced cortical thickness and surface area and altered gyrification in frontal and temporal regions in adolescents with conduct disorder (CD). Although there is evidence that the clinical phenotype of CD differs between males and females, no studies have examined whether such sex differences extend to cortical and subcortical structure. METHOD As part of a European multisite study (FemNAT-CD), structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were collected from 48 female and 48 male participants with CD and from 104 sex-, age-, and pubertal-status-matched controls (14-18 years of age). Data were analyzed using surface-based morphometry, testing for effects of sex, diagnosis, and sex-by-diagnosis interactions, while controlling for age, IQ, scan site, and total gray matter volume. RESULTS CD was associated with cortical thinning and higher gyrification in ventromedial prefrontal cortex in both sexes. Males with CD showed lower, and females with CD showed higher, supramarginal gyrus cortical thickness compared with controls. Relative to controls, males with CD showed higher gyrification and surface area in superior frontal gyrus, whereas the opposite pattern was seen in females. There were no effects of diagnosis or sex-by-diagnosis interactions on subcortical volumes. Results are discussed with regard to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, and substance abuse comorbidity, medication use, handedness, and CD age of onset. CONCLUSION We found both similarities and differences between males and females in CD-cortical structure associations. This initial evidence that the pathophysiological basis of CD may be partly sex-specific highlights the need to consider sex in future neuroimaging studies and suggests that males and females may require different treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Amy Wells
- University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Ignazio Puzzo
- West London Mental Health Trust, Broadmoor High Secure Hospital, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Gregor Kohls
- University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | | | | | - Nora Raschle
- Psychiatric University Clinics and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christina Stadler
- Psychiatric University Clinics and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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50
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Thijssen S, Kiehl KA. Functional connectivity in incarcerated male adolescents with psychopathic traits. Psychiatry Res 2017; 265:35-44. [PMID: 28521281 PMCID: PMC5526360 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2017.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined the association between psychopathic traits and functional connectivity in 177 incarcerated male adolescents. We hypothesized that psychopathic symptoms would be associated with functional connectivity within networks encompassing limbic and paralimbic regions, such as the default mode (DMN), salience networks (SN), and executive control network (ECN). The present sample was drawn from the Southwest Advanced Neuroimaging Cohort, Youth sample, and from research at a youth detention facility in Wisconsin. All participants were scanned at maximum-security facilities. Psychopathic traits were assessed using Hare's Psychopathy Checklist-Youth Version. Resting-state networks were computed using group Independent Component Analysis. Associations between psychopathic traits and resting-state connectivity were assessed using Mancova analyses. PCL-YV Total score and Factor 1 score (interpersonal and affective traits) were associated with the power spectra of the DMN. Factor 1 score was associated with SN and ECN spatial maps. Factor 2 score (lifestyle and antisocial traits) was associated with spatial map of the ECN. Only the Factor 1 association with DMN power spectrum survived correction for multiple testing. Comparable to adult psychopathy, adolescent psychopathic traits were associated with networks implicated in self-referential thought, moral behavior, cognition, and saliency detection: functions previously reported to be disrupted in adult psychopaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Thijssen
- School of Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, Erasmus University of Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Center for Child and Family Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
| | - Kent A Kiehl
- The Mind Research Network, Albuquerque, NM, USA; Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA; Departments of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Law, University Of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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