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Maguire K, Warman H, Blumenfeld F, Langdon PE. The relationship between psychopathy and autism: a systematic review and narrative synthesis. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1375170. [PMID: 38600985 PMCID: PMC11004474 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1375170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and methods The aim of this systematic review was to synthesise research examining the relationship between autism and psychopathy to: (a) better understand the relationship between these two constructs, and (b) describe the clinical manifestation of the two when they co-occur. A systematic search of the literature returned 36 studies. Results Across all ages, autistic individuals and those with elevated autistic traits but no autistic diagnoses appeared to have increased callous and unemotional traits or psychopathy relative to the general population. Several studies evidenced that although both constructs are associated with empathetic dysfunction, the underlying mechanisms differ. In adults, psychopathy/psychopathic traits were associated with diminished affective empathy and intact cognitive empathy, whilst the opposite was seen autistic adults and those with elevated autistic traits. In children, those with autistic traits or a diagnosis of autism had diminished cognitive empathy, but not affective empathy, while the relationship between callous and unemotional traits/psychopathy and empathy amongst children was less clear. The co-occurrence of autism and psychopathy was seen to lead to additional empathic and cognitive impairment, but findings were mixed making it challenging to clearly describe the clinical manifestation. Conclusion There remains a paucity of research investigating the interaction between autism and psychopathy and included studies were characterised by multiple measurement difficulties. Attention should be directed toward developing better methods for identifying psychopathic traits in autistic individuals to advance our understanding of the relationship between autism and psychopathy to allow for the development of appropriate care pathways for this population. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=413672, identifier CRD42023413672.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Maguire
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Hayley Warman
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Blumenfeld
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter E. Langdon
- Centre for Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (CIDD), University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership National Health Service (NHS) Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom
- Worcestershire Health and Care National Health Service (NHS) Trust, Worcester, United Kingdom
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2
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Paz Y, Perkins ER, Colins O, Perlstein S, Wagner NJ, Hawes SW, Byrd A, Viding E, Waller R. Evaluating the sensitivity to threat and affiliative reward (STAR) model in relation to the development of conduct problems and callous-unemotional traits across early adolescence. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2024. [PMID: 38480986 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13976] [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] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Sensitivity to Threat and Affiliative Reward (STAR) model proposes low threat sensitivity and low affiliation as risk factors for callous-unemotional (CU) traits. Preliminary evidence for the STAR model comes from work in early childhood. However, studies are needed that explore the STAR dimensions in late childhood and adolescence when severe conduct problems (CP) emerge. Moreover, it is unclear how variability across the full spectrum of threat sensitivity and affiliation gives rise to different forms of psychopathology beyond CU traits. METHODS The current study addressed these gaps using parent- and child-reported data from three waves and a sub-study of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study® of 11,878 youth (48% female; ages 9-12). RESULTS Consistent with the STAR model, low threat sensitivity and low affiliation were independently related to CU traits across informants and time. Moreover, there was significant interaction between the STAR dimensions, such that children with lower sensitivity to threat and lower affiliation had higher parent-reported CU traits. Unlike CU traits, children with higher threat sensitivity had higher parent-reported CP and anxiety. Finally, children with lower affiliation had higher parent-reported CP, anxiety, and depression. Results largely replicated across informants and time, and sensitivity analysis revealed similar findings in children with and without DSM-5 defined CP. CONCLUSIONS Results support the STAR model hypotheses as they pertain to CU traits and delineate threat sensitivity and affiliation as independent transdiagnostic risk factors for different types of psychopathology. Future research is needed to develop fuller and more reliable and valid measures of affiliation and threat sensitivity across multiple assessment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Paz
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emily R Perkins
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Olivier Colins
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Special Needs Education, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Samantha Perlstein
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicholas J Wagner
- Department of Brain and Psychological Science, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samuel W Hawes
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Amy Byrd
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PN, USA
| | - Essi Viding
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rebecca Waller
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Gidziela A, Ahmadzadeh YI, Michelini G, Allegrini AG, Agnew-Blais J, Lau LY, Duret M, Procopio F, Daly E, Ronald A, Rimfeld K, Malanchini M. A meta-analysis of genetic effects associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and co-occurring conditions. Nat Hum Behav 2023; 7:642-656. [PMID: 36806400 PMCID: PMC10129867 DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01530-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
A systematic understanding of the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) and their co-occurrence with other conditions during childhood and adolescence remains incomplete. In the current meta-analysis, we synthesized the literature on (1) the contribution of genetic and environmental factors to NDDs, (2) the genetic and environmental overlap between different NDDs, and (3) the co-occurrence between NDDs and disruptive, impulse control and conduct disorders (DICCs). Searches were conducted across three platforms: Web of Science, Ovid Medline and Ovid Embase. Studies were included only if 75% or more of the sample consisted of children and/or adolescents and the studies had measured the aetiology of NDDs and DICCs using single-generation family designs or genomic methods. Studies that had selected participants on the basis of unrelated diagnoses or injuries were excluded. We performed multilevel, random-effects meta-analyses on 296 independent studies, including over four million (partly overlapping) individuals. We further explored developmental trajectories and the moderating roles of gender, measurement, geography and ancestry. We found all NDDs to be substantially heritable (family-based heritability, 0.66 (s.e. = 0.03); SNP heritability, 0.19 (s.e. = 0.03)). Meta-analytic genetic correlations between NDDs were moderate (grand family-based genetic correlation, 0.36 (s.e. = 0.12); grand SNP-based genetic correlation, 0.39 (s.e. = 0.19)) but differed substantially between pairs of disorders. The genetic overlap between NDDs and DICCs was strong (grand family-based genetic correlation, 0.62 (s.e. = 0.20)). While our work provides evidence to inform and potentially guide clinical and educational diagnostic procedures and practice, it also highlights the imbalance in the research effort that has characterized developmental genetics research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Gidziela
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Yasmin I Ahmadzadeh
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Giorgia Michelini
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andrea G Allegrini
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jessica Agnew-Blais
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Lok Yan Lau
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Megan Duret
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Francesca Procopio
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Emily Daly
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Angelica Ronald
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck University of London, London, UK
| | - Kaili Rimfeld
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK
| | - Margherita Malanchini
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King's College London, London, UK.
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Sun L, Lukkarinen L, Noppari T, Nazari-Farsani S, Putkinen V, Seppälä K, Hudson M, Tani P, Lindberg N, Karlsson HK, Hirvonen J, Salomaa M, Venetjoki N, Lauerma H, Tiihonen J, Nummenmaa L. Aberrant motor contagion of emotions in psychopathy and high-functioning autism. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:374-384. [PMID: 35332920 PMCID: PMC9837606 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychopathy and autism are both associated with aberrant social skills and empathy, yet only psychopaths are markedly antisocial and violent. Here, we compared the functional neural alterations underlying these two groups that both have aberrant empathetic abilities but distinct behavioral phenotypes. We studied 19 incarcerated male offenders with high psychopathic traits, 20 males with high-functioning autism, and 19 age-matched healthy controls. All groups underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while they viewed dynamic happy, angry, and disgusted faces or listened to laughter and crying sounds. Psychopathy was associated with reduced somatomotor responses to almost all expressions, while participants with autism demonstrated less marked and emotion-specific alterations in the somatomotor area. These data suggest that psychopathy and autism involve both common and distinct functional alterations in the brain networks involved in the socioemotional processing. The alterations are more profound in psychopathy, possibly reflecting the more severely disturbed socioemotional brain networks in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Sun
- Corresponding author: Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, Turku FI-20521, Finland.
| | | | | | | | - Vesa Putkinen
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku FI-20521, Finland
| | - Kerttu Seppälä
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku FI-20521, Finland,Department of Medical Physics, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Matthew Hudson
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku FI-20521, Finland
| | - Pekka Tani
- Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | - Nina Lindberg
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland
| | | | - Jussi Hirvonen
- Department of Radiology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku FI-20251, Finland
| | - Marja Salomaa
- Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners, Health Care Services for Prisoners, Turku FI-20251, Finland
| | - Niina Venetjoki
- Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners, Health Care Services for Prisoners, Turku FI-20251, Finland
| | - Hannu Lauerma
- Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners, Health Care Services for Prisoners, Turku FI-20251, Finland,Department of Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Turku FI-20251, Finland,Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku FI-20251, Finland
| | - Jari Tiihonen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm SE-11364, Sweden,Center for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm City Council, Stockholm SE-11364, Sweden,Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Eastern Finland, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio FI-70240, Finland
| | - Lauri Nummenmaa
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku FI-20521, Finland,Turku PET Centre, Turku University Hospital, Turku FI-20521, Finland,Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku FI-20251, Finland
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5
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Noppari T, Sun L, Lukkarinen L, Putkinen V, Tani P, Lindberg N, Saure E, Lauerma H, Tiihonen J, Venetjoki N, Salomaa M, Rautio P, Hirvonen J, Salmi J, Nummenmaa L. Brain structural alterations in autism and criminal psychopathy. NEUROIMAGE: CLINICAL 2022; 35:103116. [PMID: 35872437 PMCID: PMC9421457 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2022.103116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism and psychopathy are both disorders of social cognition and share numerous of their features but still differ distinctively in their clinical phenotype. The lower grey matter volumes in the right temporal pole and the left inferior frontal gyrus are the most prominent findings distinguishing violent offenders with high psychopatic from ASD individuals. Violent offenders with high psychopatic traits and individuals with ASD both present similar lower grey matter volumes in the right precentral cortex compared to controls.
The goal of this study was to elucidate the anatomical brain basis of social cognition through two disorders with distinctively different phenotypes of social interaction. We compared structural MR images of 20 individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 19 violent offenders with high psychopathic traits, and 19 control participants using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Our earlier study showed lower grey matter volume (GMV) values in the insula, frontal cortex, and sensorimotor cortex of the offender group compared to controls. In the present study, the images of the ASD group revealed lower GMV in the left precuneus, right cerebellum, and right precentral gyrus in comparison with controls. The comparison between the offender and ASD groups showed lower GMV values for the right temporal pole and left inferior frontal gyrus in the offender group. There was also an overlap of both disorders in the right pre-central cortex, showing lower GMV compared to controls. Our findings suggest structural differences between violent offenders with high psychopathy traits and ASD individuals in the frontotemporal social brain network areas, previously associated with empathy. We also provide evidence of similar abnormal structures in the motor cortex for both of these disorders, possibly related to uniting issues of social cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuomo Noppari
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Lihua Sun
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Nuclear Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Vesa Putkinen
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Pekka Tani
- Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nina Lindberg
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emma Saure
- Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; BABA Center and Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hannu Lauerma
- Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners, Health Care Services for Prisoners, Turku, Finland; Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Turku University Central Hospital, Finland
| | - Jari Tiihonen
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute and Center for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Eastern Finland, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland; Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Niina Venetjoki
- Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners, Health Care Services for Prisoners, Turku, Finland
| | - Marja Salomaa
- Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners, Health Care Services for Prisoners, Turku, Finland
| | - Päivi Rautio
- Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners, Health Care Services for Prisoners, Turku, Finland
| | - Jussi Hirvonen
- Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
| | - Juha Salmi
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, School of Science, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
| | - Lauri Nummenmaa
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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6
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Bedford R, Gliga T, Hendry A, Jones EJH, Pasco G, Charman T, Johnson MH, Pickles A. Infant regulatory function acts as a protective factor for later traits of autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder but not callous unemotional traits. J Neurodev Disord 2019; 11:14. [PMID: 31351456 PMCID: PMC6660706 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-019-9274-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reduced executive functions (EF) are commonly associated with developmental conditions (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, ASD; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD), although EF seems to be typical in children with callous unemotional (CU) traits. Regulatory function (RF) is a proposed infant precursor that maps on onto factors driving later EF. Here, we first test whether RF is specifically and negatively associated with ASD and ADHD traits, but not CU traits. Second, we test whether RF can act as a protective factor, by moderating the association between infant markers and subsequent ASD and ADHD traits. Methods Participants were 79 infants at high (N = 42) and low (N = 37) familial risk for ASD. Data come from the 14-month infant visit (Autism Observational Scale for Infants; AOSI; activity level and RF from the Infant Behavior Questionnaire; IBQ) and the 7-year visit (ASD traits: Social Responsiveness Scale, SRS; ADHD traits: Conners 3, CU traits: Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits). Results Infant RF was negatively associated with later traits of ASD (B = − 0.5, p = 0.01) and ADHD inattention (B = − 0.24, p = 0.02) but not hyperactivity (B = − 0.25, p = 0.10) or CU traits (B = 0.02, p = 0.86). RF moderated the association between infant AOSI score and ASD traits, with a significant effect in those with low RF (B = 0.10, p = 0.006), not high RF (B = 0.01, p = 0.78). Similarly, for ADHD, infant activity level was associated with later ADHD inattention in those with low (B = 0.17, p = 0.04) but not high RF (B = 0.07, p = 0.48). For ADHD hyperactivity symptoms, activity level was predictive at both high and low levels of RF. Conclusions Strong RF may allow children to compensate for other atypicalities, thus attenuating the association between infant markers and later disorder traits. Whilst infant RF was associated with both ASD and ADHD inattention traits, there was no association with ADHD hyperactivity or CU traits. This suggests that any protective effect may not be universal and emphasises the need for a better understanding of the underlying moderating mechanisms. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s11689-019-9274-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Bedford
- Biostatistics and Health Informatics Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Teodora Gliga
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Hendry
- Experimental Psychology Department, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Emily J H Jones
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK
| | - Greg Pasco
- Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tony Charman
- Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mark H Johnson
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK.,Psychology Department, Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Pickles
- Biostatistics and Health Informatics Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Centifanti LC, Shaw H, Atherton KJ, Thomson ND, MacLellan S, Frick PJ. CAPE for measuring callous-unemotional traits in disadvantaged families: a cross-sectional validation study. F1000Res 2019; 8:1027. [PMID: 32185018 PMCID: PMC7059787 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.19605.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are important for designating a distinct subgroup of children and adolescents with behaviour problems. As a result, CU traits are now used to form the specifier "with Limited Prosocial Emotions" that is part of the diagnostic criteria for the Conduct Disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 th Edition (DSM-5) and International Classification of Diseases 11 th Revision (ICD-11). Given this inclusion in major classification systems, it is important to develop and test methods for assessing these traits that can be used in clinical settings. The present study aimed to validate a clinician rating of CU traits, the Clinical Assessment of Prosocial Emotions, Version 1.1 (CAPE 1.1), in a sample of hard-to-reach families referred to a government program designed to prevent the development of behaviour problems in high risk families. Methods: Clinical ratings of children were obtained from 34 families of children ages 5 to 18 (M=13.5; SD=3.2). The ratings on the CAPE 1.1 were based on interviews with both parent and child. Results: Of the sample, 21% (100% male) met the diagnostic cut-off for the specifier according to the CAPE 1.1, and CAPE 1.1 scores were associated with parent ratings of CU traits, psychopathic traits, and externalising behaviours. CAPE 1.1 ratings were also associated with risk for violence obtained from case files. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary evidence for the validity of the CAPE 1.1 as clinician rated measure of CU traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah Shaw
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Nicholas D. Thomson
- Department of Surgery Division of Acute Care Surgical Services, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA
| | | | - Paul J. Frick
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA
- Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia
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The genetic underpinnings of callous-unemotional traits: A systematic research review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 100:85-97. [PMID: 30817934 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Callous-unemotional (CU) traits represent the affective features of psychopathy used to delineate youth at high risk for externalizing pathology. The genetic etiology CU traits is not currently well-understood. METHODS The current review surveyed the literature for studies on the genetic underpinnings of CU traits and integrated information from 39 genetic studies. RESULTS The results from 24 studies with quantitative data suggest that the heritability for CU traits is likely between 36-67%. A majority of the 16 molecular genetic studies focused on candidate genes in the serotonin and oxytocin systems with results that have not been well replicated. Although two genome-wide association studies have been conducted, no genome-wide significant loci have been discovered. DISCUSSION There is some evidence to suggest that the serotonin and oxytocin systems may play a role in CU traits; however, there is currently not enough evidence to implicate specific genetic mechanisms. The authors encourage researchers to continue to apply the most up-to-date and relevant methodology, specifically collaborations and consortiums using genome-wide and polygenic methods.
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9
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Meehan AJ, Hawes DJ, Salekin RT, Barker ED. Shared and unique variances of interpersonal callousness and low prosocial behavior. Psychol Assess 2018; 31:376-388. [PMID: 30525779 DOI: 10.1037/pas0000675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Although low prosocial behavior (LPB) items have been incorporated into youth measures of callousness, it remains unclear from current factor analytic findings whether callous traits and LPB are best operationalized as a common construct, or distinct dimensions. Using data from a population-representative birth cohort (N = 5,463), this study compared 4 latent factor structures for interpersonal callousness (IC; 6 items) and LPB (5 items) at age 13: (a) unidimensional; (b) two-factor; (c) higher-order (with 2 subfactors); and (d) bifactor (1 general and 2 specific residual factors). Alternative models distinguishing positively and negatively worded items were tested for comparative purposes. To assess the external validity of the factors that emerged from the best-fitting model, associations with early parenting styles and psychiatric comorbidities were examined. A bifactor model, achieving invariance for males and females, offered the best fit for these data. However, additional bifactor-specific indices suggested that the specific IC factor did not offer a unique contribution to the total variance over and above the general factor (IC/LPB). Of the remaining factors, IC/LPB was associated with higher levels of harsh parenting, externalizing and internalizing disorder, and social-cognitive difficulties, and lower levels of warm parenting. The LPB factor, meanwhile, was associated with greater social-cognitive difficulties and externalizing disorder, and lower maternal warmth, evoking a phenotype that may be more indicative of the autism spectrum than IC. These findings suggest that the shared variance underlying IC and LPB taps a severe psychiatric phenotype, while the residual variance for LPB may represent a distinct profile of social-cognitive dysfunction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Edward D Barker
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London
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10
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Associations Between Conduct Disorder, Neurodevelopmental Problems and Psychopathic Personality Traits in a Swedish Twin Youth Population. JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT 2018; 40:586-592. [PMID: 30459483 PMCID: PMC6223811 DOI: 10.1007/s10862-018-9689-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Previous research has found a complex relationship between psychopathic traits, neurodevelopmental problems (NDPs), and conduct disorder (CD) in children. This study explores associations between psychopathic traits, assessed with the Child Problematic Traits Inventory-Short Version (CPTI-SV), and CD in children with and without coexisting NDPs (i.e., attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] and autism spectrum disorder [ASD]) in a community-based sample of Swedish twins (n = 8762). Findings indicate weak to moderately strong correlations between psychopathic traits and CD, ADHD, and ASD, respectively. Furthermore, in univariable analyses, both psychopathic traits and NDPs displayed significant positive associations with being screened positive for CD, though only the grandiose-deceitful dimension of CPTI-SV and the ADHD domain concentration and attention deficits remained significantly associated with CD in a multivariable regression model. The results are relevant to screening and assessment in child and youth psychiatry, as a grandiose and deceitful interpersonal style may also be a valid sign of children at risk of developing CD.
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11
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Higher Autistic Traits Among Criminals, But No Link to Psychopathy: Findings from a High-Security Prison in Portugal. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 48:3010-3020. [PMID: 29651681 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-018-3576-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The relationship between autism, criminality and psychopathy has gained increased attention in recent years, although research has focused on autism spectrum disorders, and not autistic traits. We measured autistic traits (with the Autism Spectrum Quotient) in a sample of 101 inmates from a high-security prison and compared them to a control group, using a logistic regression model that included age, education, psychopathology, psychopathy and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder as covariates. Prisoners had more autistic traits (OR 1.13, p = 0.002) due to higher scores in the communication (OR 1.23) and imagination (OR 1.30) domains. No correlations were found between autistic and psychopathic traits. Our study points to the presence of autistic traits as being independent risk factors for imprisonment, although not associated with psychopathy.
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Gillespie SM, Mitchell IJ, Abu-Akel AM. Autistic traits and positive psychotic experiences modulate the association of psychopathic tendencies with theory of mind in opposite directions. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6485. [PMID: 28743994 PMCID: PMC5526986 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06995-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Various clinical disorders, including psychopathy, and autism and schizophrenia spectrum disorders, have been linked with impairments in Theory of Mind (ToM). However, although these conditions can co-occur in the same individual, the effect of their inter-play on ToM abilities has not been investigated. Here we assessed ToM abilities in 55 healthy adults while performing a naturalistic ToM task, requiring participants to watch a short film and judge the actors' mental states. The results reveal for the first time that autistic traits and positive psychotic experiences interact with psychopathic tendencies in opposite directions to predict ToM performance-the interaction of psychopathic tendencies with autism traits was associated with a decrement in performance, whereas the interaction of psychopathic tendencies and positive psychotic experiences was associated with improved performance. These effects were specific to cognitive rather than affective ToM. These results underscore the importance of the simultaneous assessment of these dimensions within clinical settings. Future research in these clinical populations may benefit by taking into account such individual differences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ian J Mitchell
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Ahmad M Abu-Akel
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
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Tuvblad C, Fanti KA, Andershed H, Colins OF, Larsson H. Psychopathic personality traits in 5 year old twins: the importance of genetic and shared environmental influences. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2017; 26:469-479. [PMID: 27683227 PMCID: PMC5364258 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-016-0899-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
There is limited research on the genetic and environmental bases of psychopathic personality traits in children. In this study, psychopathic personality traits were assessed in a total of 1189 5-year-old boys and girls drawn from the Preschool Twin Study in Sweden. Psychopathic personality traits were assessed with the Child Problematic Traits Inventory, a teacher-report measure of psychopathic personality traits in children ranging from 3 to 12 years old. Univariate results showed that genetic influences accounted for 57, 25, and 74 % of the variance in the grandiose-deceitful, callous-unemotional, and impulsive-need for stimulation dimensions, while the shared environment accounted for 17, 48 and 9 % (n.s.) in grandiose-deceitful and callous-unemotional, impulsive-need for stimulation dimensions, respectively. No sex differences were found in the genetic and environmental variance components. The non-shared environment accounted for the remaining 26, 27 and 17 % of the variance, respectively. The three dimensions of psychopathic personality were moderately correlated (0.54-0.66) and these correlations were primarily mediated by genetic and shared environmental factors. In contrast to research conducted with adolescent and adult twins, we found that both genetic and shared environmental factors influenced psychopathic personality traits in early childhood. These findings indicate that etiological models of psychopathic personality traits would benefit by taking developmental stages and processes into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Tuvblad
- School of Psychology, Law and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Kostas A. Fanti
- Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Henrik Andershed
- School of Psychology, Law and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Olivier F. Colins
- School of Psychology, Law and Social Work, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Curium-Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Henrik Larsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Solna, Sweden
- Karolinska Institute Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Solna, Sweden
- School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Social interaction is affected in many different developmental disorders; indeed, the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders has introduced social cognition as one of six core components of neurocognitive functioning. Social cognition is not one thing, but a wide range of putative processes, which may be differentially affected in different clinical groups. This review focuses on recent advances in one aspect of social cognition, 'theory of mind' (ToM, representing what people think), and one core clinical group, autism spectrum disorder (ASD). RECENT FINDINGS It is 30 years since impaired ToM was proposed as an explanation for ASD social difficulties, and recently there has been a widening of interest to other clinical groups. ToM has been found to be distinct from emotion recognition and empathy. Recent research on ASD has focused increasingly on atypical sensory responses and commonly comorbid conditions. Interventions for social deficits, including ToM training and oxytocin, have shown mixed results to date. SUMMARY Heterogeneity poses a major obstacle to current research. Theoretical and empirical refinements are needed to elucidate neurocognitive and aetiological underpinnings of sociocognitive processes and inform clinical advances.
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Jack AI, Friedman JP, Boyatzis RE, Taylor SN. Why Do You Believe in God? Relationships between Religious Belief, Analytic Thinking, Mentalizing and Moral Concern. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0149989. [PMID: 27008093 PMCID: PMC4805169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prior work has established that analytic thinking is associated with disbelief in God, whereas religious and spiritual beliefs have been positively linked to social and emotional cognition. However, social and emotional cognition can be subdivided into a number of distinct dimensions, and some work suggests that analytic thinking is in tension with some aspects of social-emotional cognition. This leaves open two questions. First, is belief linked to social and emotional cognition in general, or a specific dimension in particular? Second, does the negative relationship between belief and analytic thinking still hold after relationships with social and emotional cognition are taken into account? We report eight hypothesis-driven studies which examine these questions. These studies are guided by a theoretical model which focuses on the distinct social and emotional processing deficits associated with autism spectrum disorders (mentalizing) and psychopathy (moral concern). To our knowledge no other study has investigated both of these dimensions of social and emotion cognition alongside analytic thinking. We find that religious belief is robustly positively associated with moral concern (4 measures), and that at least part of the negative association between belief and analytic thinking (2 measures) can be explained by a negative correlation between moral concern and analytic thinking. Using nine different measures of mentalizing, we found no evidence of a relationship between mentalizing and religious or spiritual belief. These findings challenge the theoretical view that religious and spiritual beliefs are linked to the perception of agency, and suggest that gender differences in religious belief can be explained by differences in moral concern. These findings are consistent with the opposing domains hypothesis, according to which brain areas associated with moral concern and analytic thinking are in tension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Ian Jack
- Department of Philosophy, College of Arts & Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Organizational Behavior, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical School, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jared Parker Friedman
- Department of Philosophy, College of Arts & Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Richard Eleftherios Boyatzis
- Department of Organizational Behavior, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts & Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Scott Nolan Taylor
- Management Division, Babson College, Babson Park, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Tick B, Colvert E, McEwen F, Stewart C, Woodhouse E, Gillan N, Hallett V, Lietz S, Garnett T, Simonoff E, Ronald A, Bolton P, Happé F, Rijsdijk F. Autism Spectrum Disorders and Other Mental Health Problems: Exploring Etiological Overlaps and Phenotypic Causal Associations. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2016; 55:106-13.e4. [PMID: 26802777 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2015.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent studies have highlighted the impact of coexisting mental health problems in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). No twin studies to date have reported on individuals meeting diagnostic criteria of ASD. This twin study reports on the etiological overlap between the diagnosis of ASD and emotional symptoms, hyperactivity, and conduct problems measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. METHOD Genetic and environmental influences on the covariance between ASD and coexisting problems were estimated, in line with the correlated risks model prediction. Phenotypic causality models were also fitted to explore alternative explanations of comorbidity: namely, that coexisting problems are the result of or result in ASD symptoms; that they increase recognition of ASD; or that they arise due to an over-observation bias/confusion when differentiating between phenotypes. RESULTS More than 50% of twins with broad spectrum/ASD met the borderline/abnormal levels cut-off criteria for emotional symptoms or hyperactivity, and approximately 25% met these criteria for the 3 reported problems. In comparison, between 13% and 16% of unaffected twins scored above the cut-offs. The phenotypic correlation between ASD and emotional symptoms was explained entirely by genetic influences and accompanied by a moderate genetic correlation (0.42). The opposite was true for the overlap with conduct problems, as nonshared-environmental factors had the strongest impact. For hyperactivity, the best-fitting model suggested a unidirectional phenotypic influence of hyperactivity on ASD. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest a possible effect of hyperactivity on identification of ASD. The lack of genetic influences on conduct problems-ASD overlap further supports the genetic independence of these 2 phenotypes. Finally, the co-occurrence of emotional symptoms in ASD, compared to other co-occurring problems, is completely explained by common genetic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Tick
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), King's College London, UK.
| | - Emma Colvert
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), King's College London, UK
| | - Fiona McEwen
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), King's College London, UK; IOPPN, King's College London
| | - Catherine Stewart
- IOPPN, King's College London; South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust (SLAM), Maudsley Hospital, London
| | | | - Nicola Gillan
- South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust (SLAM), Maudsley Hospital, London
| | | | - Stephanie Lietz
- Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London
| | - Tracy Garnett
- South London and Maudsley National Health Service Foundation Trust (SLAM), Maudsley Hospital, London
| | | | | | - Patrick Bolton
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), King's College London, UK
| | - Francesca Happé
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), King's College London, UK
| | - Frühling Rijsdijk
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IOPPN), King's College London, UK
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