Prefrontal cortex structural and developmental associations with callous-unemotional traits and aggression
Abstract Youths with high levels of callous-unemotional (CU) traits and aggression are at an increased risk for developing antisocial behaviours into adulthood. In this population, neurostructural grey matter abnormalities have been observed in the prefrontal cortex. However, the directionality of t...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54481-3 |
| _version_ | 1797274721565278208 |
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| author | Nathan Hostetler Tamara P. Tavares Mary B. Ritchie Lindsay D. Oliver Vanessa V. Chen Steven Greening Elizabeth C. Finger Derek G. V. Mitchell |
| author_facet | Nathan Hostetler Tamara P. Tavares Mary B. Ritchie Lindsay D. Oliver Vanessa V. Chen Steven Greening Elizabeth C. Finger Derek G. V. Mitchell |
| author_sort | Nathan Hostetler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Youths with high levels of callous-unemotional (CU) traits and aggression are at an increased risk for developing antisocial behaviours into adulthood. In this population, neurostructural grey matter abnormalities have been observed in the prefrontal cortex. However, the directionality of these associations is inconsistent, prompting some to suggest they may vary across development. Although similar neurodevelopmental patterns have been observed for other disorders featuring emotional and behavioural dysregulation, few studies have tested this hypothesis for CU traits, and particularly not for aggression subtypes. The current study sought to examine grey matter correlates of CU traits and aggression (including its subtypes), and then determine whether these associations varied by age. Fifty-four youths (10–19 years old) who were characterized for CU traits and aggression underwent MRI. Grey matter volume and surface area within the anterior cingulate cortex was positively associated with CU traits. The correlation between CU traits and medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) volume varied significantly as a function of age, as did the correlation between reactive aggression and mOFC surface area. These associations became more positive with age. There were no significant findings for proactive/total aggression. Results are interpreted considering the potential for delayed cortical maturation in youths with high CU traits/aggression. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:02:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-683e2be1c6a34a36a81e4822ff71d8b5 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:02:19Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-683e2be1c6a34a36a81e4822ff71d8b52024-03-05T19:03:58ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-02-0114111310.1038/s41598-024-54481-3Prefrontal cortex structural and developmental associations with callous-unemotional traits and aggressionNathan Hostetler0Tamara P. Tavares1Mary B. Ritchie2Lindsay D. Oliver3Vanessa V. Chen4Steven Greening5Elizabeth C. Finger6Derek G. V. Mitchell7Brain and Mind Institute, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, Room 3190, Western UniversityBrain and Mind Institute, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, Room 3190, Western UniversityBrain and Mind Institute, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, Room 3190, Western UniversityCampbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental HealthBrain and Mind Institute, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, Room 3190, Western UniversityDepartment of Psychology, University of ManitobaRobarts Institute, Western UniversityBrain and Mind Institute, Western Interdisciplinary Research Building, Room 3190, Western UniversityAbstract Youths with high levels of callous-unemotional (CU) traits and aggression are at an increased risk for developing antisocial behaviours into adulthood. In this population, neurostructural grey matter abnormalities have been observed in the prefrontal cortex. However, the directionality of these associations is inconsistent, prompting some to suggest they may vary across development. Although similar neurodevelopmental patterns have been observed for other disorders featuring emotional and behavioural dysregulation, few studies have tested this hypothesis for CU traits, and particularly not for aggression subtypes. The current study sought to examine grey matter correlates of CU traits and aggression (including its subtypes), and then determine whether these associations varied by age. Fifty-four youths (10–19 years old) who were characterized for CU traits and aggression underwent MRI. Grey matter volume and surface area within the anterior cingulate cortex was positively associated with CU traits. The correlation between CU traits and medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC) volume varied significantly as a function of age, as did the correlation between reactive aggression and mOFC surface area. These associations became more positive with age. There were no significant findings for proactive/total aggression. Results are interpreted considering the potential for delayed cortical maturation in youths with high CU traits/aggression.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54481-3 |
| spellingShingle | Nathan Hostetler Tamara P. Tavares Mary B. Ritchie Lindsay D. Oliver Vanessa V. Chen Steven Greening Elizabeth C. Finger Derek G. V. Mitchell Prefrontal cortex structural and developmental associations with callous-unemotional traits and aggression Scientific Reports |
| title | Prefrontal cortex structural and developmental associations with callous-unemotional traits and aggression |
| title_full | Prefrontal cortex structural and developmental associations with callous-unemotional traits and aggression |
| title_fullStr | Prefrontal cortex structural and developmental associations with callous-unemotional traits and aggression |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prefrontal cortex structural and developmental associations with callous-unemotional traits and aggression |
| title_short | Prefrontal cortex structural and developmental associations with callous-unemotional traits and aggression |
| title_sort | prefrontal cortex structural and developmental associations with callous unemotional traits and aggression |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54481-3 |
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