Prefrontal structural and functional brain imaging findings in antisocial, violent, and psychopathic individuals: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Brain imaging studies suggest that antisocial and violent behavior is associated with structural and functional deficits in the prefrontal cortex, but there is heterogeneity in findings and it is unclear whether findings apply to psychopaths, non-violent offenders, community-based samples, and studies employing psychiatric controls. A meta-analysis was conducted on 43 structural and functional imaging studies and results show significantly reduced prefrontal structure and function in antisocial individuals. Effect sizes were significant for both structural and functional studies. With minor exceptions, no statistically significant moderating effects of sample characteristics and methodological variables were observed. Findings were localized to the right orbitofrontal cortex, right anterior cingulate cortex, and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Findings confirm the replicability of prefrontal structural and functional impairments in antisocial populations and highlight the involvement of orbitofrontal, dorsolateral frontal, and anterior cingulate cortex in antisocial behavior.

http://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/stability-of-halophilic-proteins-in-hyper-saline-brine-2fe2s-ferredoxin-as-a-paradigm-2161-1009-1000184.php?aid=57295

“…Mental calculation has already been reported to increase oxy-Hb of the brain in the prefrontal cortex, supporting our investigate findings [27,28].…”

Longitudinally mapping the influence of sex and androgen signaling on the dynamics of human cortical maturation in adolescence

“…Regionally protracted cortical maturation in males could also lead to a regionally specific broadening of the temporal windows through which detrimental genetic and environmental influences are accrued. In line with this, maleness is an especially potent risk factor for antisocial disorder and psychopathy in adulthood, which show strong associations with aberrant structure and function in AntCC, vmPFC, OFC, vlPFC, DLPFC, and medial SFG regions (41).…”

Guilt-Specific Processing in the Prefrontal Cortex

“…Clinical studies suggest a specific involvement of the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPFC) in affective processes guiding social conduct, which might therefore also be more specifically implicated in guiltrelated affective processing. Patients with OFC/VMPFC dysfunction (due to developmental brain anomalies or externally caused injuries) are remarkably insensitive to social norms and frequently display patterns of antisocial or psychopathic behavior (Anderson et al 1999;Blair 2007;Yang and Raine 2009). A recent analysis mathematically modeling performance of these patients during interactive economic games suggests that their reduced sensitivity to social norms and fairness might be best explained by a defective parameter akin to guilt (Krajbich et al 2009).…”