We conduct studies to investigate functional and structural brain differences that increase risk for antisocial behavior and callous-unemotional traits across childhood and adolescence. For example, we have shown that during the anticipation of a reward, youth with antisocial behavior (with and without callous-unemotional traits) showed decreased dorsal anterior cingulate cortex activation compared to typically developing youths. In contrast, during reward receipt, youths with antisocial behavior showed increased cortical and subcortical regional activation compared to typically developing youths. Children with both antisocial behavior and callous-unemotional traits demonstrated greater activation in several regions compared with typically developing children and children with antisocial behavior only. Findings advance our understanding of unique neuroetiologic pathways to antisocial behavior and callous-unemotional traits.

 

Relevant peer-reviewed publications