The juvenile antisocial brain : brain imaging studies in clinically antisocial youth with nascent phychopathic traits

Abstract

The work presented in this thesis provides important new

clues on the neurobiology of juvenile psychopathic traits in clinically

antisocial juveniles. The data specifically shows that these traits are

ostensibly underpinned by highly specific corticolimbic network dysfunctions, in which amygdala subregional networks seem particularly relevant. That data additionally suggests that some of these network dysfunctions and their associated neurocognitive deficits are possibly driven by alterations in the oxytocinergic system. Interestingly, the data also provides preliminary neurobiological support for the scientific utility of using juvenile psychopathic traits to subtype the highly heterogeneous group of clinically antisocial teens. While these data may represent important new steps towards a deeper understanding of clinical youth antisociality, their significance has to be evaluated by replication studies that further explore and validate the findings presented here.