A neurocognitive model of early onset persistent and desistant antisocial behavior in early adulthood

Abstract

It remains unclear which functional and neurobiological mechanisms in childhood and adolescence are associated with persistent and desistant antisocial behavior in early adulthood. We reviewed the empirical literature and propose a neurocognitive social information processing model for early onset persistent and desistant antisocial behavior in early adulthood, focusing on how young adults evaluate, act upon, monitor, and learn about their goals and self traits. Based on the reviewed literature, we propose that persistent antisocial behavior is characterized by domain-general impairments in self-relevant and goal-related information processing, regulation, and learning, which is accompanied by altered activity in fronto-limbic brain areas. We propose that desistant antisocial development is associated with more effortful information processing, regulation and learning, that possibly balances self-relevant goals and specific situational characteristics. The proposed framework advances insights by considering individual differences such as psychopathic personality traits, and specific emotional characteristics (e.g. valence of social cues), to further illuminate functional and neural mechanisms underlying heterogenous developmental pathways. Finally, we address important open questions and offer suggestions for future research to improve scientific knowledge on general and context-specific expression and development of antisocial behavior in early adulthood

Executive functions in psychopathy: A meta-analysis of inhibition, planning, shifting, and working memory performance

“…With regard to the lifestyle/antisocial traits of psychopathy and the associated lower performance in inhibition, planning, and working memory, we can assume deficits in the DLPFC, VL/OFC, and ACC (Figure 3A). This is supported by studies showing functional and structural deficits in all these areas among antisocial individuals (van de Groep et al, 2022;Yang et al, 2008). However, when considering the affective/interpersonal traits of psychopathy and the associated enhanced shifting performance, we may expect improved DLPFC functioning compared to individuals without these traits (Figure 3B).…”

“…It can be expected that frontal lobe impairments and the resulting executive dysfunctions explain some of the symptoms observed in psychopathy. Acquired damages in these areas were found to lead to recklessness, violence, emotional outbursts, and other behaviors that resemble those of antisocial and psychopathic individuals (Broidy et al, 2003;Denson et al, 2011;van de Groep et al, 2022). Moreover, previous research has linked psychopathy to functional and structural deficits in prefrontal areas, including ventrolateral/orbitofrontal (VL/OFC), dorsolateral prefrontal (DLPFC), and anterior cingulate (ACC) cortices (Deming & Koenigs, 2020;Poeppl et al, 2019;Yang & Raine, 2009).…”