The evidence for a neurobiological model of childhood antisocial behavior.

Abstract

Children with persistent antisocial and aggressive behavior are diagnosed as having disruptive behavior disorder. The authors review evidence that antisocial children, and especially those who persist with this behavior as they grow older, have a range of neurobiological characteristics. It is argued that serotonergic functioning and stress-regulating mechanisms are important in explaining individual differences in antisocial behavior. Moreover, low fear of punishment and physiological underactivity may predispose antisocial individuals to seek out stimulation or take risks and may help to explain poor conditioning and socialization. The authors propose a theoretical model highlighting the interplay between neurobiological deficits and cognitive and emotional functioning as mediators of the link between early adversity and antisocial behavior problems in childhood. Implications for intervention programs are discussed.

Testosterone, Cortisol and Empathy: Evidence for the Dual-Hormone Hypothesis

“…2 Trait empathy as a function of basal testosterone and cortisol levels in men and women. When basal cortisol was low, basal testosterone was negatively related to empathy Reduced basal HPA activity is associated with fearlessness, reduced sensitivity to punishment and threat (Van Honk et al 2003), and some aspects of aggression (Van Goozen et al 2007;Shirtcliff et al 2009;but see, Van Bokhoven et al 2005), whereas high cortisol levels are associated with anxiety (Brown et al 1996) and submissive behavior (i.e. social withdrawal and inhibition; Kagan et al 1988;Goldsmith and Lemery 2000;Klimes-Dougan et al 2001), but also with higher empathy (reviewed in Shirtcliff et al 2009).…”

Prenatal Exposure to Maternal Cigarette Smoking and the Adolescent Cerebral Cortex

“…As pointed out above, PEMCS is associated with a number of negative behavioral outcomes, some of which are believed to be a part and parcel of the so-called antisocial behavior (van Goozen et al, 2007;Connor et al, 2006). Current theories of youth development emphasize that positive or healthy psychological and social functioning does not involve only the absence of risk/problem behaviors, but also include the presence of characteristics of successful and adaptive behavior.…”

Neurobiology of violence in children and adolescents

“…There are two main interpretations of reduced autonomic activation in antisocial behaviour. According to the fearlessness theory, low arousal is a marker of fearlessness (4). Fearless children engage in physical violence in order to gain reward and social status, and in doing so, they do not concentrate on the negative consequences of their behaviour (punishment, physical injury).…”

“…Atrophy of neurons in the right hemisphere, and the reduction of the volume of the hippocampus, which is important in verbal and emotional memories, is influenced by childhood trauma (28). Some neurobiological factors may also explain the persistence of violent behaviour (4). Testosterone levels, serotonergic system and mechanisms, which include the HPA axis and autonomic nervous system, play an important role in violent behaviour in children and adolescents.…”

“…As a dynamic organization of biological systems that create specific patterns of behaviour, emotions and thoughts, personality allows prognosis of different behaviours and responses, including different forms of antisocial behaviour. Moreover, low fear of punishment and physiological hypoarousal may predispose individuals to seek out stimulation or take risks, and may also help to explain poor conditioning and socialization (4).…”