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Psychopathy’s Antisocial Traits Tied to Widespread Brain Volume Reductions

Upcoming investigations at RWTH Aachen alongside partner institutions will delve into the neuropsychobiological roots of aggression.

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The study’s authors highlight that the findings suggest a particularly strong neurobiological link between antisocial behaviour and reduced brain volume across widespread regions. Credit: Neuroscience News
Psychopathy produces distinct changes to brain structure

Overview

  • Researchers analyzed structural MRI scans from 39 adult men with psychopathy and matched controls using the Julich-Brain Atlas.
  • Higher scores on the antisocial behavior dimension of the Psychopathy Check-List correlated with reduced volume in basal ganglia, thalamus, basal forebrain, brainstem, cerebellum and orbitofrontal and insular cortices.
  • Associations between interpersonal-affective traits and brain structure were weaker and more variable, with modest volume differences in orbitofrontal, dorsolateral frontal and hippocampal subregions.
  • The psychopathy group showed a significant reduction in total brain volume compared with controls, with the most pronounced localized difference in the right subiculum.
  • Follow-up studies will take place at RWTH Aachen and collaborating universities in Heidelberg, Frankfurt and Mannheim under a new transdiagnostic aggression research initiative.