A cognitive neuroscience perspective on psychopathy: evidence for paralimbic system dysfunction

Contingent Negative Variation in the Evaluation of Neurocognitive Disorders Due to Possible Alzheimer's Disease

The usefulness of Contingent Negative Variation (CNV) potential as a biomarker of neurocognitive disorders due to possible Alzheimer's disease, is based on its possible physiological correlates. However, its application in the diagnostic evaluation of these disorders is still incipient. The aim of this study is to characterize the patterns of cognitive processing of information in the domain of nonspecific global attention, by recording potential CNV in a group of patients with neurocognitive disorders due to possible Alzheimer's disease. An experimental study of cases and controls was carried out. The sample included 39 patients classified according to DSM-5 with a neurocognitive disorder subtype possibly due Alzheimer's disease, and a Control Group of 53 subjects with normal cognitive functions. CNV potential was registered using standard protocol. The analysis of variance obtained significant differences in mean values and confidence intervals of total CNV amplitude between the three study groups. The late CNV segment amplitudes makes it possible to discriminate between the level of mild and major dysfunction in the group of patients. The CNV total amplitudes of potential allows for effective discrimination between normal cognitive functioning and neurocognitive disorders due to possible Alzheimer's disease.

Unmasking hidden risks: The surprising link between PDE5 inhibitors and seizure susceptibility

BACKGROUND

Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) are the first line treatment for erectile dysfunction; however, several articles and case reports have shown central nervous system effects, that can cause seizures in susceptible patients. This study aims to describe the changes caused by the use of Sildenafil and Tadalafil through the analysis of abnormalities expressed in the electrocorticogram (ECoG) of rats and evaluate the seizure threshold response and treatment of seizures with anticonvulsants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study used 108 rats (Wistar). Before surgery for electrode placement in dura mater, the animals were randomly separated into 3 experiments for electrocorticogram analysis. Experiment 1: ECoG response to using PD5i (Sildenafil 20mg/kg and Tadalafil 2.6mg/kg p.o.). Experiment 2: ECoG response to the use of PD5i in association with Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ-30 mg/kg i.p.), a convulsive model. Experiment 3: ECoG response to anticonvulsant treatment (Phenytoin, Phenobarbital and Diazepam) of seizures induced by association IPDE5 + PTZ. All recordings were made thirty minutes after administration of the medication and analyzed for ten minutes, only once. We considered statistical significance level of *p<0.05, **p<0.01 and ***p < 0.001.

RESULTS

After administration of Sildenafil and Tadalafil, there were increases in the power of recordings in the frequency bands in oscillations in alpha (p = 0.0920) and beta (p = 0.602) when compared to the control group (p<0.001). After the use of Sildenafil and Tadalafil associated with PTZ, greater potency was observed in the recordings during seizures (p<0.001), however, the Sildenafil group showed greater potency when compared to Tadalafil (p<0.05). Phenobarbital and Diazepam showed a better response in controlling discharges triggered by the association between proconvulsant drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

PDE5i altered the ECoG recordings in the rats' motor cortexes, demonstrating cerebral asynchrony and potentiating the action of PTZ. These findings demonstrate that PDE5i can lower the seizure threshold.

Brain structural correlates of psychopathic traits in elite female combat-sports athletes

Psychopathy is characterized by glibness and superficial charm, as well as a lack of empathy, guilt and remorse, and is often accompanied by antisocial behaviour. The cerebral bases of this syndrome have been mostly studied in violent subjects or those with a criminal history. However, the antisocial component of psychopathy is not central to its conceptualization, and in fact, psychopathic traits are present in well-adjusted, non-criminal individuals within the general population. Interestingly, certain psychopathy characteristics appear to be particularly pronounced in some groups or professions. Importantly, as these so-called adaptive or successful psychopaths do not show antisocial tendencies or have significant psychiatric comorbidities, they may represent an ideal population to study this trait. Here, we investigated such a group, specifically elite female judo athletes, and compared them with matched non-athletes. Participants completed psychopathy, anger, perspective-taking and empathic concern questionnaires and underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Grey matter volume (GMV) was computed using voxel-based morphometry from the T1-weighted images. Athletes scored significantly higher in primary psychopathy and anger and lower in empathy and perspective taking. They also exhibited smaller GMV in the right temporal pole, left occipital cortex and left amygdala/hippocampus. GMV values for the latter cluster significantly correlated with primary psychopathy scores across both groups. These results confirm and extend previous findings to a little-studied population and provide support for the conceptualization of psychopathy as a dimensional personality trait which not only is not necessarily associated with antisocial behaviour but may potentially have adaptive value.

Psychopathic traits and altered resting-state functional connectivity in incarcerated adolescent girls

Previous work in incarcerated boys and adult men and women suggest that individuals scoring high on psychopathic traits show altered resting-state limbic/paralimbic, and default mode functional network properties. However, it is unclear whether similar results extend to high-risk adolescent girls with elevated psychopathic traits. This study examined whether psychopathic traits [assessed via the Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV)] were associated with altered inter-network connectivity, intra-network connectivity (i.e., functional coherence within a network), and amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFFs) across resting-state networks among high-risk incarcerated adolescent girls (n = 40). Resting-state networks were identified by applying group independent component analysis (ICA) to resting-state fMRI scans, and a priori regions of interest included limbic, paralimbic, and default mode network components. We tested the association of psychopathic traits (PCL:YV Factor 1 measuring affective/interpersonal traits and PCL:YV Factor 2 assessing antisocial/lifestyle traits) to these three resting-state measures. PCL:YV Factor 1 scores were associated with increased low-frequency and decreased high-frequency fluctuations in components corresponding to the default mode network, as well as increased intra-network FNC in components corresponding to cognitive control networks. PCL:YV Factor 2 scores were associated with increased low-frequency fluctuations in sensorimotor networks and decreased high-frequency fluctuations in default mode, sensorimotor, and visual networks. Consistent with previous analyses in incarcerated adult women, our results suggest that psychopathic traits among incarcerated adolescent girls are associated with altered intra-network ALFFs-primarily that of increased low-frequency and decreased high-frequency fluctuations-and connectivity across multiple networks including paralimbic regions. These results suggest stable neurobiological correlates of psychopathic traits among women across development.

Applying dimensional psychopathology: transdiagnostic prediction of executive cognition using brain connectivity and inflammatory biomarkers

BACKGROUND

The association between executive dysfunction, brain dysconnectivity, and inflammation is a prominent feature across major psychiatric disorders (MPDs), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. A dimensional approach is warranted to delineate their mechanistic interplay across MPDs.

METHODS

This single site study included a total of 1543 participants (1058 patients and 485 controls). In total, 1169 participants underwent diffusion tensor and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (745 patients and 379 controls completed the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test). Fractional anisotropy (FA) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) assessed structural and functional connectivity, respectively. Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α] were obtained in 325 participants using blood samples collected with 24 h of scanning. Group differences were determined for main measures, and correlation and mediation analyses and machine learning prediction modeling were performed.

RESULTS

Executive deficits were associated with decreased FA, increased ReHo, and elevated IL-1β and IL-6 levels across MPDs, compared to controls. FA and ReHo alterations in fronto-limbic-striatal regions contributed to executive deficits. IL-1β mediated the association between FA and cognition, and IL-6 mediated the relationship between ReHo and cognition. Executive cognition was better predicted by both brain connectivity and cytokine measures than either one alone for FA-IL-1β and ReHo-IL-6.

CONCLUSIONS

Transdiagnostic associations among brain connectivity, inflammation, and executive cognition exist across MPDs, implicating common neurobiological substrates and mechanisms for executive deficits in MPDs. Further, inflammation-related brain dysconnectivity within fronto-limbic-striatal regions may represent a transdiagnostic dimension underlying executive dysfunction that could be leveraged to advance treatment.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychopathic Traits in Justice-Involved Adult Women

Studies have documented associations between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and mental disorders. The relationship between psychopathic personality and TBI remains poorly understood, though both are associated with similar characteristics (e.g., low empathy, aggression, disturbances in social/moral behavior). Yet, it is not clear whether assessment of psychopathic features is influenced by presence versus absence of TBI, and which aspects of TBI may be associated with psychopathic traits. This study examined the psychopathy-TBI association in justice-involved women (N = 341) with structural equation modeling. We tested if measurement invariance of psychopathic traits was evident among those with versus without TBI and which TBI variables (number, severity, age at first TBI) predicted psychopathic features in conjunction with symptoms of psychopathology, IQ, and age. Results provided evidence of measurement invariance, and more women with TBI, compared to those without, met criteria for psychopathy. Younger age of TBI and TBI severity predicted interpersonal-affective psychopathic features.

Structural abnormalities in adolescents with conduct disorder and high versus low callous unemotional traits

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.

Psychopathic personality traits stress immunity and social potency moderate the relationship between emotional competence and cognitive functions in depression

Background

Psychopathic personality traits (PPT) and depression have both been shown to worsen emotional and cognitive functions. Moreover, PPT and depression share similar underlying neuronal circuits tapping into the emotional and cognitive domains. However, little is known about the influence of PPT on emotion and cognition in individuals with depression.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the correlative relationships and moderating role of PPT in the association between emotional competence and cognitive functions in individuals with depression.

Methods

Data from 373 individuals diagnosed with depression (158 males, 215 females) were examined within a cohort study. Subjects filled out validated questionnaires surveying PPT and emotional competences. Furthermore, a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery was administered.

Results

Correlation analyses revealed a significant positive association between emotional competence and cognitive functions. Further, negative associations between emotional competence and the PPT "Blame Externalisation" and "Careless Nonplanfulness," as well as positive associations with psychopathic "Social Potency" and "Stress Immunity" were found. Moderation analyses indicated a significant positive influence of psychopathic "Stress Immunity" and "Social Influence" on the relationship between emotional competence and cognitive functions.

Conclusion

The findings highlight the importance of integrating PPT in depression research. Considering PPT in depression treatment could also facilitate the therapeutic process by identifying individual traits as resilience-strengthening or potentially harmful factors for depressive symptomatology. This study represents a stepping stone for further research regarding the role of personality traits in psychiatric disorders and their treatment.

Cortical and subcortical grey matter correlates of psychopathic traits in a Japanese community sample of young adults: sex and configurations of factors’ level matter!

While neuroimaging research has examined the structural brain correlates of psychopathy predominantly in clinical/forensic male samples from western countries, much less is known about those correlates in non-western community samples. Here, structural magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed using voxel- and surface-based morphometry to investigate the neuroanatomical correlates of psychopathic traits in a mixed-sex sample of 97 well-functioning Japanese adults (45 males, 21–39 years; M = 27, SD = 5.3). Psychopathic traits were assessed using the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (SRP-SF; 4th Edition). Multiple regression analysis showed greater Factor 1 scores were associated with higher gyrification in the lingual gyrus, and gray matter volume in the anterior cingulate cortex and amygdala/hippocampus border. Total psychopathy and Factor 1 scores interacted with sex to, respectively, predict cortical thickness in the precuneus and gyrification in the superior temporal gyrus. Finally, Factor 1 and Factor 2 traits interacted to predict gyrification in the posterior cingulate cortex. These preliminary data suggest that, while there may be commonalities in the loci of structural brain correlates of psychopathic traits in clinical/forensic and community samples, the nature of that association might be different (i.e. positive) and may vary according to sex and configurations of factors’ level.

Hemodynamic activity in the limbic system predicts reoffending in women

Previous research (Aharoni et al., 2013, 2014) found that hemodynamic activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) during error monitoring predicted non-violent felony rearrest in men released from prison. This article reports an extension of the Aharoni et al. (2013, 2014) model in a sample of women released from state prison (n = 248). Replicating aspects of prior work, error monitoring activity in the dACC, as well as psychopathy scores and age at release, predicted non-violent felony rearrest in women. Sex differences in the directionality of dACC activity were observed-high error monitoring activity predicted rearrest in women, whereas prior work found low error monitoring activity predicted rearrest in men. As in prior analyses, the ability of the dACC to predict rearrest outcomes declines with more generalized outcomes (i.e., general felony). Implications for future research and clinical and forensic risk assessment are discussed.

Aberrant resting-state functional connectivity in incarcerated women with elevated psychopathic traits

Previous work in incarcerated men suggests that individuals scoring high on psychopathy exhibit aberrant resting-state paralimbic functional network connectivity (FNC). However, it is unclear whether similar results extend to women scoring high on psychopathy. This study examined whether psychopathic traits [assessed via the Hare Psychopathy Checklist - Revised (PCL-R)] were associated with aberrant inter-network connectivity, intra-network connectivity (i.e., functional coherence within a network), and amplitude of fluctuations across limbic and surrounding paralimbic regions among incarcerated women (n = 297). Resting-state networks were identified by applying group Independent Component Analysis to resting-state fMRI scans. We tested the association of psychopathic traits (PCL-R Factor 1 measuring interpersonal/affective psychopathic traits and PCL-R Factor 2 assessing lifestyle/antisocial psychopathic traits) to the three FNC measures. PCL-R Factor 1 scores were associated with increased low-frequency fluctuations in executive control and attentional networks, decreased high-frequency fluctuations in executive control and visual networks, and decreased intra-network FNC in default mode network. PCL-R Factor 2 scores were associated with decreased high-frequency fluctuations and default mode networks, and both increased and decreased intra-network functional connectivity in visual networks. Similar to previous analyses in incarcerated men, our results suggest that psychopathic traits among incarcerated women are associated with aberrant intra-network amplitude fluctuations and connectivity across multiple networks including limbic and surrounding paralimbic regions.

How reliable are amygdala findings in psychopathy? A systematic review of MRI studies

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.

Changes of Brain Structures and Psychological Characteristics in Predatory, Affective Violent and Nonviolent Offenders

Purpose: Violent subjects were demonstrated to exhibit abnormal brain structures; however, the brain changes may be different between criminals committing affective (VA), predatory violence (VP), and non-violence (NV). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the differences in brain structures and psychological characteristics between VA, VP, and NV offenders. Methods: Twenty male criminal subjects (7 VP; 6 VA; and 7 NV) offenders; and twenty age-matched male healthy non-criminals were enrolled in this study. All subjects received psychological assessments as well as magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to understand the differences among four groups with Bonferroni correction. The voxel-based morphometry and voxel-wise diffusion tensor imaging analyses were performed to compare the gray matter (GM) volume and white matter (WM) integrity between the groups. In significant regions, a Spearman correlation analysis was performed to understand the relationship between the brain changes and psychological scores. Results: The ANOVA analysis showed that AUDIT scores were significantly different among four groups, but no significant group difference was noted after Bonferroni correction. The imaging comparisons further demonstrated that the VP and NV offenders exhibited significant alterations of WM and GM tissues in the rectus and superior temporal gyrus, respectively. In addition, the VP offenders exhibited greater GM volumes than VA offenders in the right middle frontal gyrus, and NV offenders had greater GM volumes than VP offenders in the bilateral thalamus. Conclusion: We concluded that the VA, VP, and NV groups exhibited different degrees of alterations in GM and WM tissues in regions involved in emotion and cognition.

THE IMPLICATIONS OF FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA FOR BRAIN DYSFUNCTION IN PSYCHOPATHY

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.

Effects of group affiliation on neural signatures of fairness norm violations in antisocial violent offenders

While norm-violating behavior in antisocial individuals has been widely studied, little is known about how these people react to unfair behavior directed towards them. Previous research yields inconclusive results with some evidence for rational and strategic behavior in antisocial individuals. Electrophysiological correlates as well as socio-contextual factors such as group affiliation that may inform decision making on fairness considerations have not been investigated in previous studies. This study compared fairness considerations of antisocial violent offenders (N = 25) and controls (N = 26) by using the Ultimatum Game where one player proposes a split of resources and the other player has to respond by accepting or declining the offer. Group affiliation of the proposer (in- vs. out-group) and fairness of offers (fair vs. unfair) were manipulated. We found no difference between groups regarding decision behavior. However, healthy participants showed an electrophysiological response to group affiliation, which was attenuated in the violent offender group. This data suggests intact understanding of social norms in antisocial violent offenders while electrophysiological response pattern may be linked to impaired emotional reactions to expectancy violations.

A Multidimensional Examination of Psychopathy Traits and Gray Matter Volume in Adults

Uncovering the neurobiological abnormalities that may contribute to the manifestation of psychopathic traits is an important step toward understanding the etiology of this disorder. Although many studies have examined gray matter volume (GMV) in relation to psychopathy, few have examined how dimensions of psychopathic traits interactively relate to GMV, an approach that holds promise for parsing heterogeneity in neurobiological risk factors for this disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate the affective-interpersonal (Factor 1) and impulsive-antisocial (Factor 2) dimensions of psychopathy in relation to cortical surface and subcortical GMV in a mixed-gender, high-risk community sample with significant justice-system involvement (N = 156, 50.0% men). Cortex-wide analysis indicated that (i) the Factor 1 traits correlated negatively with GMV in two cortical clusters, one in the right rostral middle frontal region and one in the occipital lobe, and (ii) the interaction of the affective-interpersonal and impulsive-antisocial traits was negatively associated with GMV bilaterally in the parietal lobe, such that individuals high on both trait dimensions evidenced reduced GMV relative to individuals high on only one psychopathy factor. An interactive effect also emerged for bilateral amygdalar and hippocampal GMV, such that Factor 1 psychopathic traits were significantly negatively associated with GMV only at high (but not low) levels of Factor 2 traits. Results extend prior research by demonstrating the neurobiological correlates of psychopathy differ based on the presentation of Factor 1 and 2 traits.

Connectome-based model predicts individual psychopathic traits in college students

BACKGROUND

Psychopathic traits have been suggested to increase the risk of violations of socio-moral norms. Previous studies revealed that abnormal neural signatures are associated with elevated psychopathic traits; however, whether the intrinsic network architecture can predict psychopathic traits at the individual level remains unclear.

METHODS

The present study utilized connectome-based predictive modeling (CPM) to investigate whether whole-brain resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) can predict psychopathic traits in the general population. Resting-state fMRI data were collected from 84 college students with varying psychopathic traits measured by the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (LSRP).

RESULTS

Functional connections that were negatively correlated with psychopathic traits predicted individual differences in total LSRP and secondary psychopathy score but not primary score. Particularly, nodes with the most connections in the predictive connectome anchored in the prefrontal cortex (e.g., anterior prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex) and limbic system (e.g., anterior cingulate cortex and insula). In addition, the connections between the occipital network (OCCN) and cingulo-opercular network (CON) served as a significant predictive connectome for total LSRP and secondary psychopathy score.

CONCLUSION

CPM constituted by whole-brain RSFC significantly predicted psychopathic traits individually in the general population. The brain areas including the prefrontal cortex and limbic system and large-scale networks including the CON and OCCN play special roles in the predictive model-possibly reflecting atypical cognitive control and affective processing for individuals with elevated psychopathic traits. These findings may facilitate detection and potential intervention of individuals with maladaptive psychopathic tendency.

Exploring the neural correlates of (altered) moral cognition in psychopaths

Research into the neurofunctional mechanisms of psychopathy has gathered momentum over the last years. Previous neuroimaging studies have identified general changes in brain activity of psychopaths. In an exploratory meta-analysis, we here investigated the neural correlates of impaired moral cognition in psychopaths. Our analyses replicated general effects in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, lateral prefrontal cortex, fronto-insular cortex, and amygdala, which have been reported recently. In addition, we found aberrant brain activity in the midbrain and inferior parietal cortex. Our preliminary findings suggest that alterations in both regions may represent more specific functional brain changes related to (altered) moral cognition in psychopaths. Furthermore, future studies including a more comprehensive corpus of neuroimaging studies on moral cognition in psychopaths should re-examine this notion.

Resting-state network topology characterizing callous-unemotional traits in adolescence

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.

Electroencephalographic and morphometric abnormalities in psychopath offenders

The main goals of the present study were to replicate and extend current knowledge related to paralimbic dysfunctions associated with psychopathy. The research evaluated the quantitative electroencephalography, current density (CD) source and synchronization likelihood analysis during the rest condition and structural magnetic resonance imaging images to compare volumetric and cortical thickness, in inmates recruited from two prisons located in Havana City. The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) was used as a quantitative measure of psychopathy. This study showed most beta energy and less alpha activity in male psychopath offenders. Low-resolution electromagnetic tomography signified an increase of beta activity in psychopath offender groups within paralimbic regions. The superior temporal gyrus volume was associated with the F1 factor while the fusiform, anterior cingulate and associative occipital areas were primarily associated with the F2 factor of PCL-R scale. Cortical thickness in the left dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and the temporal pole was negatively associated with PCL-R total score.

Neuroscience, Empathy, and Violent Crime in an Incarcerated Population: A Narrative Review

Empathy is a fundamental construct that allows individuals to perceive and understand the cognitive and emotional state of others. Empathy is not only a psychological and sociological concept; it also heavily impacts our daily lives by affecting our decisions and actions. Empathy is connected to and involves specific parts of the brain which, if damaged or of reduced volume, can lead to actions that are morally unjust, aggressive, or simply denoting a lack of understanding and sensitivity. The literature affirms that the low level of empathy, guilt, embarrassment, and moral reasoning displayed by violent and psychopathic criminals is strongly associated with empathy-linked brain regions that are smaller in size or less developed. The aim of this review is to show empirical data over the last 5 years on the connection between empathy and neuroscience among violent and psychopathic offenders, reflecting on future research on the topic.

Impaired global efficiency in boys with conduct disorder and high callous unemotional traits

Callous unemotional (CU) traits differentiate subtypes of conduct disorder (CD). It has been suggested that CU traits may be related to topographical irregularities that hinder information integration. To date, there is limited evidence of whether CU traits may be associated with abnormal brain topology. In this study, 43 CD boys with high and low CU trait (CD-HCU, CD-LCU), and 46 healthy controls (HCs) were subjected to resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate how CU trait level and conduct problems may be reflected in topological organization. Brain functional networks were constructed and network/nodal properties, including small-world properties and network/nodal efficiency, were calculated. Topological analysis revealed that, compared with HCs, CD-HCU group were characterized by decreased small-worldness (σ), decreased global efficiency, and increased path length (λ). These variables were similar between the CD-LCU and HC groups. Self-reported CU traits in CD patients correlated negatively with global efficiency and positively with λ. Regional analysis revealed diminished nodal efficiency in the right amygdala in the CD-HCU group compared with HCs. The present results suggest that disrupted global efficiency, together with a regional abnormality affecting the amygdala, may contribute to abnormal information processing and integration in adolescents with CD and high CU traits.

Validity and utility of Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP): II. Externalizing superspectrum

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is an empirical effort to address limitations of traditional mental disorder diagnoses. These include arbitrary boundaries between disorder and normality, disorder co-occurrence in the modal case, heterogeneity of presentation within dis-orders, and instability of diagnosis within patients. This paper reviews the evidence on the validity and utility of the disinhibited externalizing and antagonistic externalizing spectra of HiTOP, which together constitute a broad externalizing superspectrum. These spectra are composed of elements subsumed within a variety of mental disorders described in recent DSM nosologies, including most notably substance use disorders and "Cluster B" personality disorders. The externalizing superspectrum ranges from normative levels of impulse control and self-assertion, to maladaptive disinhibition and antagonism, to extensive polysubstance involvement and personality psychopathology. A rich literature supports the validity of the externalizing superspectrum, and the disinhibited and antagonistic spectra. This evidence encompasses common genetic influences, environmental risk factors, childhood antecedents, cognitive abnormalities, neural alterations, and treatment response. The structure of these validators mirrors the structure of the phenotypic externalizing superspectrum, with some correlates more specific to disinhibited or antagonistic spectra, and others relevant to the entire externalizing superspectrum, underlining the hierarchical structure of the domain. Compared with traditional diagnostic categories, the externalizing superspectrum conceptualization shows improved utility, reliability, explanatory capacity, and clinical applicability. The externalizing superspectrum is one aspect of the general approach to psychopathology offered by HiTOP and can make diagnostic classification more useful in both research and the clinic.

Autonomic arousal tracks outcome salience not valence in monkeys making social decisions

The evolutionary and neural underpinnings of human prosociality are still being identified. A growing body of evidence suggests that some species find the sight of another individual receiving a reward reinforcing, called vicarious reinforcement, and that this capacity is supported by a network of brain areas including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the amygdala. At the same time, analyses of autonomic arousal have been increasingly used to contextualize and guide neural research, especially for studies of reward processing. Here, we characterized the autonomic pupil response of eight monkeys across two laboratories in two different versions of a vicarious reinforcement paradigm. Monkeys were cued as to whether an upcoming reward would be delivered to them, another monkey, or nobody and could accept or decline the offer. As expected, all monkeys in both laboratories showed a marked preference for juice to the self, together with a reliable prosocial preference for juice to a social partner compared to juice to nobody. However, contrary to our expectations, we found that pupils were widest in anticipation of juice to the self, moderately sized in anticipation of juice to nobody, and narrowest in anticipation of juice to a social partner. This effect was seen across both laboratories and regardless of specific task parameters. The seemingly paradoxical pupil effect can be explained by a model in which pupil size tracks outcome salience, prosocial tendencies track outcome valence, and the relation between salience and valence is U-shaped. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Reduced endorsement of specific moral foundations in incarcerated adult women with elevated psychopathic traits

Previous studies have associated adult men with elevated psychopathic traits with reduced endorsement of certain moral foundations measured with the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ), including Harm/Care (measuring one's concern for protecting individuals from harm) and Fairness/Reciprocity (measuring one's concern for the rights of individuals). However, it is not known whether such results extrapolate to women with elevated levels of psychopathic traits. Here, we examined the relationship between endorsement of moral foundations (assessed via the MFQ) and psychopathy scores (assessed via the Psychopathy Checklist - Revised [PCL-R]) in a sample of 299 incarcerated adult women. Consistent with hypotheses, higher PCL-R total scores were associated with reduced endorsement of MFQ Harm/Care and Fairness/Reciprocity foundations. Additionally, we extended upon previous studies, observing higher PCL-R total, Factor 1 (measuring interpersonal/affective psychopathic traits), and Facet 1 (measuring interpersonal psychopathic traits) scores were associated with reduced endorsement of the MFQ Authority/Respect foundation (measuring one's respect for authority figures) in incarcerated adult women. Our results highlight reduced endorsement for similar moral foundations between men and women scoring high on psychopathic traits (i.e., Harm/Care and Fairness/Reciprocity), while also outlining a moral foundation that may be uniquely associated with women scoring high on psychopathic traits (i.e., Authority/Respect).

Is the Psychopathic Brain an Artifact of Coding Bias? A Systematic Review

Questionable research practices are a well-recognized problem in psychology. Coding bias, or the tendency of review studies to disproportionately cite positive findings from original research, has received comparatively little attention. Coding bias is more likely to occur when original research, such as neuroimaging, includes large numbers of effects, and is most concerning in applied contexts. We evaluated coding bias in reviews of structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) studies of PCL-R psychopathy. We used PRISMA guidelines to locate all relevant original sMRI studies and reviews. The proportion of null-findings cited in reviews was significantly lower than those reported in original research, indicating coding bias. Coding bias was not affected by publication date or review design. Reviews recommending forensic applications—such as treatment amenability or reduced criminal responsibility—were no more accurate than purely theoretical reviews. Coding bias may have contributed to a perception that structural brain abnormalities in psychopaths are more consistent than they actually are, and by extension that sMRI findings are suitable for forensic application. We discuss possible sources for the pervasive coding bias we observed, and we provide recommendations to counteract this bias in review studies. Until coding bias is addressed, we argue that this literature should not inform conclusions about psychopaths' neurobiology, especially in forensic contexts.

Psychopathy is associated with an exaggerated attention bottleneck: EEG and behavioral evidence from a dual-task paradigm

Psychopathy is a personality disorder associated with a chronic disregard for the welfare of others. The attention bottleneck model of psychopathy asserts that the behavior of individuals higher on psychopathy is due to an exaggerated attention bottleneck that constrains all information processing, regardless of the information's potential goal-relevance. To date, the majority of research on the attention bottleneck model of psychopathy conceptually applied the tenets of the model but did not implement methods that directly test an exaggeration of the bottleneck in psychopathy. Accordingly, the presence of an exaggerated bottleneck, the exact expression of that bottleneck, and its potential mechanistic relevance for behavior in individuals higher on psychopathy remains untested. To address these gaps, a sample of 78 male community members, evaluated for psychopathic traits using the Self-Report Psychopathy-III scale, completed an EEG-based dual-task paradigm examining short stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA; 300 ms), long SOA (1,100 ms), and single-task baseline conditions. Additionally, participants were asked about their frequency of real-world risky, impulsive, and antisocial behaviors. Psychopathy was associated with slower reaction times to second targets (T2s) presented during the dual-task conditions, relative to the baseline condition. Psychopathy also was associated with blunted P300 responses, a neural index of stimulus evaluation, across all types of T2 events. Finally, bottleneck-related interference during the short SOA events mediated the relationship between psychopathy and real-world behavior. These findings suggested that individuals higher on psychopathy exhibit an exaggerated bottleneck which produces intense and long-lasting interference, impacting all information processing and partially contributing to their maladaptive behavior.

There Is More to Mindfulness Than Emotion Regulation: A Study on Brain Structural Networks

Dispositional mindfulness and emotion regulation are two psychological constructs closely interrelated, and both appear to improve with the long-term practice of mindfulness meditation. These constructs appear to be related to subcortical, prefrontal, and posterior brain areas involved in emotional processing, cognitive control, self-awareness, and mind wandering. However, no studies have yet discerned the neural basis of dispositional mindfulness that are minimally associated with emotion regulation. In the present study, we use a novel brain structural network analysis approach to study the relationship between structural networks and dispositional mindfulness, measured with two different and widely used instruments [Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ)], taking into account the effect of emotion regulation difficulties. We observed a number of different brain regions associated with the different scales and dimensions. The total score of FFMQ and MAAS overlap with the bilateral parahippocampal and fusiform gyri. Additionally, MAAS scores were related to the bilateral hippocampus and the FFMQ total score to the right insula and bilateral amygdala. These results indicate that, depending on the instrument used, the characteristics measured could differ and could also involve different brain systems. However, it seems that brain areas related to emotional reactivity and semantic processing are generally related to Dispositional or trait mindfulness (DM), regardless of the instrument used.

Clarifying fearlessness in psychopathy: An examination of thrill-seeking and physical risk-taking

Fearlessness has been described among the traits associated with psychopathy; however, disparities in conceptualizations of fear and how related elements are operationalized among different measures of psychopathic traits have led to some enduring controversy. Here we address a subset of elements characterizing fearlessness represented in thrill-seeking and physical risk-taking among a large sample of incarcerated individuals (n = 688). We examine these relationships utilizing Hare's Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R), the Psychopathy Personality Inventory-Short Form (PPI-SF), and the Zuckerman Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS). Among males, the Thrill and Adventure Seeking (TAS) scale of the SSS was not related to features of the PCL-R, but was highly correlated with Fearless Dominance (FD) of the PPI-SF. Among females, TAS was only modestly correlated with PCL-R total score, but neither of the two PCL-R factors. PPI-SF FD remained a strong predictor of TAS among females. We argue for a careful consideration of the boundaries of the term "fearlessness" as it relates to diverse manifestations of behavior and varied conceptualizations of psychopathy. We also reiterate apparent differences between males and females in the presentation of psychopathic traits.

Childhood conduct problems are associated with reduced white matter fibre density and morphology

Childhood conduct problems are an important public health issue as these children are at-risk of adverse outcomes. Studies using diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging (dMRI) have found that conduct problems in adults are characterised by abnormal white-matter microstructure within a range of white matter pathways underpinning socio-emotional processing, while evidence within children and adolescents has been less conclusive based on non-specific diffusion tensor imaging metrics. Fixel-based analysis (FBA) provides measures of fibre density and morphology that are more sensitive to developmental changes in white matter microstructure. The current study used FBA to investigate whether childhood conduct problems were related both cross-sectionally and longitudinally to microstructural alterations within the fornix, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and the uncinate fasciculus (UF). dMRI data was obtained for 130 children across two time-points in a community sample with high levels of externalising difficulties (age: time-point 1 = 9.47 - 11.86 years, time-point 2 = 10.67 -13.45 years). Conduct problems were indexed at each time-point using the Conduct Problems subscale of the parent-informant Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Conduct problems were related to lower fibre density in the fornix at both time-points, and in the ILF at time-point 2. We also observed lower fibre cross-section in the UF at time-point 1. The change in conduct problems did not predict longitudinal changes in white-matter microstructure across time-points. The current study suggests that childhood conduct problems are related to reduced fibre-specific microstructure within white matter fibre pathways implicated in socio-emotional functioning.

Gray matter asymmetry in the orbitofrontal cortex in relation to psychopathic traits in adolescents

BACKGROUND

Structural abnormalities in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) of incarcerated psychopaths have been well documented. However, the neural correlates of psychopathic traits in younger and nonclinical samples remain poorly understood.

AIM

The present study aimed to examine the structural brain asymmetry in the OFC in relation to dimensions of psychopathic traits in adolescents from the community.

METHOD

In 29 youths from the community, childhood psychopathic traits including narcissism, impulsivity, and callous-unemotional traits were assessed when they were 7- to 10 years old (Time 1), and their gray matter (GM) volumes were measured using structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging when they were 10- to 14 years old (Time 2).

RESULTS

After controlling for age, sex, IQ, pubertal stage, and whole-brain volumes, callous-unemotional traits were associated with right-left asymmetry in the medial OFC (mOFC), that is, smaller right mOFC GM as compared to the left. Impulsivity was associated with left-right asymmetry in the mOFC, that is, smaller left mOFC than the right. Narcissism was not associated with any GM asymmetry measure. No significant association was found for the lateral OFC, amygdala, caudate and putamen.

CONCLUSION

The present findings provide further support that dimensions of psychopathic traits may have distinct neurobiological correlates.

Psychopathy is associated with fear-specific reductions in neural activity during affective perspective-taking

Psychopathic individuals are notorious for their callous disregard for others' emotions. Prior research has linked psychopathy to deficits in affective mechanisms underlying empathy (e.g., affective sharing), yet research relating psychopathy to cognitive mechanisms underlying empathy (e.g., affective perspective-taking and Theory of Mind) requires further clarification. To elucidate the neurobiology of cognitive mechanisms of empathy in psychopathy, we administered an fMRI task and tested for global as well as emotion-specific deficits in affective perspective-taking. Adult male incarcerated offenders (N = 94) viewed images of two people interacting, with one individual's face obscured by a shape. Participants were cued to either identify the emotion of the obscured individual or identify the shape from one of two emotion or shape choices presented on each trial. Target emotions included anger, fear, happiness, sadness, and neutral. Contrary to predictions, psychopathy was unrelated to neural activity in the Affective Perspective-taking > Shape contrast. In line with predictions, psychopathy was negatively related to task accuracy during affective perspective-taking for fear, happiness, and sadness. Psychopathy was related to reduced hemodynamic activity exclusively during fear perspective-taking in several areas: left anterior insula extending into posterior orbitofrontal cortex, right precuneus, left superior parietal lobule, and left superior occipital cortex. Although much prior research has emphasized psychopathy-related abnormalities in affective mechanisms mediating empathy, current results add to growing evidence of psychopathy-related abnormalities in a cognitive mechanism related to empathy. These findings highlight brain regions that are hypoactive in psychopathy when explicitly processing another's fear.

White matter structural network disturbances in first-episode, drug-naïve adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have suggested that individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) would show inefficient whole-brain communication and dysconnectivity in the fronto-parietal-subcortical sub-networks in the white matter (WM) structural network. However, these hypotheses have yet to be tested.

METHODS

Individual WM structural networks were constructed based on diffusion MRI data and deterministic tractography in 34 first-episode, medication-naïve adolescents with GAD and 27 healthy controls (HCs). Graph theory was applied to investigate the topological organization alterations of the structural network.

RESULTS

GAD patients showed disrupted small-world configurations (i.e., increased path length and decreased clustering coefficient) and hub organization (i.e., less connection strength in the feeder and local connections). A decreased connection strength was found in a GAD-related sub-network (mainly involving the frontal-subcortical circuits), which was able to distinguish GAD patients from HCs with higher accuracy (area under the curve of 0.96, sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 89%) than clinical scores and other topological alternations.

LIMITATIONS

The current study just compared GAD patients with HCs based on a small sample, leaving whether the alternations found here are specific to GAD still an open question. Future studies are recommended to recruit patients with other anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety disorder) and/or comorbid mood disorders to identify the GAD-specific WM alterations using a larger sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the disruption of the topological organization of the whole-brain WM structural network (especially the frontal-subcortical circuits) in GAD, and suggest the potential of using structural connectivity of the GAD-related sub-network as a biomarker for GAD patients.

Connections that characterize callousness: Affective features of psychopathy are associated with personalized patterns of resting-state network connectivity

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There was significant heterogeneity in participants’ neural networks.

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Psychopathy associated with default mode-central executive network connectivity.

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Associations were specific to affective psychopathic traits.

Background

Psychopathic traits are hypothesized to be associated with dysfunction across three resting-state networks: the default mode (DMN), salience (SN), and central executive (CEN). Past work has not considered heterogeneity in the neural networks of individuals who display psychopathic traits, which is likely critical in understanding the etiology of psychopathy and could underlie different symptom presentations. Thus, this study maps person-specific resting state networks and links connectivity patterns to features of psychopathy.

Methods

We examined resting-state functional connectivity among eight regions of interest in the DMN, SN, and CEN using a person-specific, sparse network mapping approach (Group Iterative Multiple Model Estimation) in a community sample of 22-year-old men from low-income, urban families (N = 123). Associations were examined between a dimensional measure of psychopathic traits and network density (i.e., number of connections within and between networks).

Results

There was significant heterogeneity in neural networks of participants, which were characterized by person-specific connections and no common connections across the sample. Psychopathic traits, particularly affective traits, were associated with connection density between the DMN and CEN, such that greater density was associated with elevated psychopathic traits.

Discussion

Findings emphasize that neural networks underlying psychopathy are highly individualized. However, individuals with high levels of psychopathic traits had increased density in connections between the DMN and CEN, networks that have been linked with self-referential thinking and executive functioning. Taken together, the results highlight the utility of person-specific approaches in modeling neural networks underlying psychopathic traits, which could ultimately inform personalized prevention and intervention strategies.

The spatial organization of the chronnectome associates with cortical hierarchy and transcriptional profiles in the human brain

The chronnectome of the human brain represents dynamic connectivity patterns of brain networks among interacting regions, but its organization principle and related transcriptional signatures remain unclear. Using task-free fMRI data from the Human Connectome Project (681 participants) and microarray-based gene expression data from the Allen Institute for Brain Science (1791 brain tissue samples from six donors), we conduct a transcriptome-chronnectome association study to investigate the spatial configurations of dynamic brain networks and their linkages with transcriptional profiles. We first classify the dynamic brain networks into four categories of nodes according to their time-varying characteristics in global connectivity and modular switching: the primary sensorimotor regions with large global variations, the paralimbic/limbic regions with frequent modular switching, the frontoparietal cortex with both high global and modular dynamics, and the sensorimotor association cortex with limited dynamics. Such a spatial layout reflects the cortical functional hierarchy, microarchitecture, and primary connectivity gradient spanning from primary to transmodal areas, and the cognitive spectrum from perception to abstract processing. Importantly, the partial least squares regression analysis reveals that the transcriptional profiles could explain 28% of the variation in this spatial layout of network dynamics. The top-related genes in the transcriptional profiles are enriched for potassium ion channel complex and activity and mitochondrial part of the cellular component. These findings highlight the hierarchically spatial arrangement of dynamic brain networks and their coupling with the variation in transcriptional signatures, which provides indispensable implications for the organizational principle and cellular and molecular functions of spontaneous network dynamics.

[The contribution of forensic neuroscience to psychopathy]

Psychopathy is a construct characterized by symptoms of emotional detachment, a lack of empathy, guilt and remorse, irresponsibility and a propensity for impulsive behavior. This article critically evaluates the contribution of structural and functional neuroimaging to the understanding of this personality disorder in North American forensic populations with psychopathic traits. Neuroimaging results are highly variable. They report numerous structural and functional abnormalities that are not limited to the amygdala and the ventromedial prefrontal cortex but include the striatum, hippocampus, and uncinate fasciculus. These brain abnormalities underlie an attenuated emotion processing functioning (but not an absence) and aversion to negative and threats signals, reinforcement learning, representation of rewards and modulation of attention that have an impact in decision-making, caring for others, and moral judgment. It is important to note that the neuroanatomical, neurofunctional, and behavioral differences between individuals with high psychopathic traits and those with low traits are highly heterogeneous and of degree rather than of nature.

Emotional modulation of the pupil in psychopathy: A test of the Response Modulation Hypothesis

Some aspects of psychopathy may be underpinned by a deficit in processing emotional information, although there is evidence that this impairment only emerges when the affective cues are not central to ongoing goal-directed behaviour. However, this hypothesis has not been explored previously in relation to autonomic reactivity to emotional stimuli. The current study investigated this in a large (N = 174) community sample by examining changes in pupil diameter, a measure of autonomic nervous system activity, while participants viewed images that were either neutral in content or contained highly arousing/emotional content. Participants' attentional focus was manipulated across two tasks, such that participants either focused on whether the image contained emotional content (emotion-focus) or whether there were people present in the image (alternate-focus). Psychopathy was conceptualised via the Triarchic model of boldness, meanness and disinhibition. As expected, the arousing images caused greater pupil dilation compared to neutral images. However, the magnitude of this dilation was not moderated by any aspect of psychopathy regardless of the participant's attentional focus. It may be that reduced pupil reactivity to emotional stimuli is only expressed at high levels of psychopathy not normally found in community samples, or that participants with high traits of psychopathy in the community were still able to sufficiently attend to the emotional components of the images to overcome any autonomic deficits regardless of their attentional focus. Further research is needed to explore these possibilities.

Biocognitive Classification of Antisocial Individuals Without Explanatory Reductionism

Effective and specifically targeted social and therapeutic responses for antisocial personality disorders and psychopathy are scarce. Some authors maintain that this scarcity should be overcome by revising current syndrome-based classifications of these conditions and devising better biocognitive classifications of antisocial individuals. The inspiration for the latter classifications has been embedded in the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) approach. RDoC-type approaches to psychiatric research aim at transforming diagnosis, provide valid measures of disorders, aid clinical practice, and improve health outcomes by integrating the data on the genetic, neural, cognitive, and affective systems underlying psychiatric conditions. In the first part of the article, we discuss the benefits of such approaches compared with the dominant syndrome-based approaches and review recent attempts at building biocognitive classifications of antisocial individuals. Other researchers, however, have objected that biocognitive approaches in psychiatry are committed to an untenable form of explanatory reductionism. Explanatory reductionism is the view that psychological disorders can be exclusively categorized and explained in terms of their biological causes. In the second part of the article, we argue that RDoC-like approaches need not be associated with explanatory reductionism. Moreover, we argue how this is the case for a specific biocognitive approach to classifying antisocial individuals.

The anterior cingulate cortex is necessary for forming prosocial preferences from vicarious reinforcement in monkeys

A key feature of most social relationships is that we like seeing good things happen to others. Research has implicated the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in attaching value to social outcomes. For example, single neurons in macaque ACC selectively code reward delivery to the self, a partner, both monkeys, or neither monkey. Here, we assessed whether the ACC's contribution to social cognition is causal by testing rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) on a vicarious reinforcement task before and after they sustained ACC lesions. Prior to surgery, actors learned that 3 different visual cues mapped onto 3 distinct reward outcomes: to self ("Self"), to the other monkey ("Other"), or to neither monkey ("Neither"). On each trial, actors saw a cue that predicted one of the 3 juice offers and could accept the offer by making a saccade to a peripheral target or reject the offer by breaking fixation. Preoperatively, all 6 actors displayed prosocial preferences, indicated by their greater tendency to give reward to Other relative to Neither. Half then received selective, bilateral, excitotoxic lesions of the ACC, and the other half served as unoperated controls. After surgery, all monkeys retained the social preferences they had demonstrated with the preoperatively learned cues, but this preference was reduced in the monkeys with ACC lesions. Critically, none of the monkeys in the ACC lesion group acquired social preferences with a new set of cues introduced after surgery. These data indicate that the primate ACC is necessary for acquisition of prosocial preferences from vicarious reinforcement.

Gray Matter Changes in the Orbitofrontal-Paralimbic Cortex in Male Youths With Non-comorbid Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is one of the most common developmental psychiatric disorders which is characterized by persistent aggressive and antisocial behaviors during childhood or adolescence. Previous neuroimaging studies have investigated the neural correlates underlying CD and demonstrated several constructive findings. However, Individuals with CD are at high risk for comorbidities, which might give rise to the inconsistencies of existed findings. It remains unclear which neuroanatomical abnormalities are specifically related to CD without comorbidities. Using structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) data of 69 CD and 69 typically developing (TD) male youths (aged 14–17 years), the present study aims at investigating gray matter volume alterations of non-comorbid CD (i.e., not comorbid with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance abuse disorder, anxiety or depression). We also examined how regional gray matter volumes were related to callous-unemotional (CU) traits and conduct problems in the CD group. The whole-brain analysis revealed decreased gray matter volumes in the right pre-postcentral cortex, supramarginal gyrus and right putamen in CD youths compared with TD youths. The region-of-interest analyses showed increased gray matter volumes in the superior temporal gyrus (STG) and right orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) in CD youths. Correlation analysis found that gray matter volume in the left amygdala was negatively correlated with CU traits in CD participants. These results demonstrated that gray matter volume in the orbitofrontal-paralimbic cortex, including OFC, STG and amygdala, might characterize the male youths with non-comorbid CD and might contribute to different severe forms and trajectories of CD.

Functional neural correlates of psychopathy: a meta-analysis of MRI data

Neuroimaging studies over the last two decades have begun to specify the neurobiological correlates of psychopathy, a personality disorder that is strongly related to criminal offending and recidivism. Despite the accumulation of neuroimaging studies of psychopathy, a clear and comprehensive picture of the disorder's neural correlates has yet to emerge. The current study is a meta-analysis of functional MRI studies of psychopathy. Multilevel kernel density analysis was used to identify consistent findings across 25 studies (460 foci) of task-related brain activity. Psychopathy was associated with increased task-related activity predominantly in midline cortical regions overlapping with the default mode network (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate, and precuneus) as well as medial temporal lobe (including amygdala). Psychopathy was related to decreased task-related activity in a region of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex overlapping with the salience network. These findings challenge predominant theories of amygdala hypoactivity and highlight the potential role of hyperactivity in medial default mode network regions and hypoactivity in a key node of the salience network during task performance in psychopathy.

Infection during childhood and the risk of violent criminal behavior in adulthood

Infections during brain development appear to contribute to cognitive impairment and aggressive behavior, as well as to a number of developmental mental disorders closely associated with violent criminal behavior. Yet, no study has thus far ever investigated whether infections during brain development increases the risk of violent criminality later in life. In this population-based cohort study, about 2.2 million individuals born in Sweden between the years 1973 and 1995 were included in an effort to estimate the association between infections during childhood (registered ICD-10 diagnoses of infections incurred before the age of 14 years) and violent criminal behavior (registered convictions for a violent crime between the ages of 15 and 38 years, prior to December 31, 2011). After inclusion of several sociodemographic parameters, risks of violent criminal behavior conferred by childhood infections - expressed as hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) - were calculated by means of Cox regression. Mediation analyses were performed to explore the effect of psychiatric disorders on the association between infections during childhood and violent criminality. Results revealed a modest, yet significant, association between an infection during childhood and violent criminality later in life (adjusted HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.12-1.16). Infections during the first year of life and infections in the central nervous system were associated with the highest risks of subsequent violent criminality (adjusted HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.18-1.23, and adjusted HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.08-1.26, respectively). The association was partly mediated by the presence of a psychiatric disorder. In summary, independent of a wide range of covariates, our results suggest that infections during brain development could be part of the genesis of violent criminal behavior.

Sex Differences in QEEG in Psychopath Offenders

Introduction. Functional brain differences related to sex in psychopathic behavior represent an important field of neuroscience research; there are few studies on this area, mainly in offender samples. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of electrophysiological differences between male and female psychopath offenders; specifically, we wanted to assess whether the results in quantitative EEG, low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA), and changes in synchronous brain activity could be related to sex influence. Sample and Methods. The study included 31 male and 12 female psychopath offenders, according to the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised criteria from 2 prisons located in Havana City. The EEG visual inspection characteristics and the use of frequency domain quantitative analysis techniques are described. Results. The resting EEG visual analyses revealed a high percentage of EEG abnormalities in both studied groups. Significant statistical differences between the mean parameters of cross spectral measures between psychopathic offender groups were found in the beta band at bilateral frontal derivation and centroparietal areas. LORETA showed differences especially in the paralimbic and parieto-occipital areas Synchronization likelihood revealed a significant group effect in the 26 to 30 Hz band. These results indicate that combining quantitative EEG, LORETA analysis, and synchronization likelihood may improve the neurofunctional differentiation between psychopath offenders of both sexes.

Conduct Disorder: Biology and Developmental Trajectories

For centuries, attempting a successful rehabilitation of youth with antisocial behaviors has challenged juvenile justice systems and society. More recently, advances in science and neuroimaging have permitted a deeper understanding of the biological underpinnings of antisocial behavior and psychopathic tendencies. This paper reviews biological findings in youth with conduct disorder, highlighting comparisons to biological findings in adults with antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy. Overall, youth with conduct disorder exhibit several biological findings that are similar to adults with antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy, consistent with theories that conduct disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that progresses to these adult conditions. There is evidence that treatment interventions might mitigate this progression and induce biological changes. Further, biological findings might guide interventions to rehabilitate youth and change the developmental trajectory of antisocial behaviors.

Psychopathy and trauma: Exploring a potential association

This research presents a series of linked studies exploring the association between psychopathy and trauma. It comprises a systematic review (n = 58), followed by an expert Delphi (n = 19), and patient file trawl using a male forensic psychiatric patient sample (n = 66). An association between psychopathy and developmental trauma was predicted. It was further predicted that different types of trauma would be associated with different subtypes of psychopathy and that the severity of trauma would be important. The systematic review identified the following core themes: presence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or symptoms; trauma type; trauma/abuse variables; and sex differences. The ensuing Delphi study indicated the specific variant of psychopathy to be important, with secondary psychopathy particularly relevant. The final study found that the severity of developmental trauma related differentially to primary and secondary psychopathy. Implications and directions for future research are discussed, most notably with regards to the conceptualisation of psychopathy.

The Psychosocial Impact of Neurobehavioral Disability

Neurobehavioral disability (NBD) comprises elements of executive and attentional dysfunction, poor insight, problems of awareness and social judgement, labile mood, altered emotional expression, and poor impulse control, any or all of which can have a serious impact upon a person's decision-making and capacity for social independence. The aim of this narrative review is to explore some of the more intrusive forms of NBD that act as obstacles to psychosocial outcome to act as a frame of reference for developing effective rehabilitation interventions. Special consideration is given to the psychosocial impact of three core forms of NBD: a failure of social cognition, aggressive behavior, and problems of drive/motivation. Consideration is also given to the developmental implications of sustaining a brain injury in childhood or adolescence, including its impact on maturational and social development and subsequent effects on long-term psychosocial behavior.