Structural Striatal Abnormalities and Antisocial Personality Disorder

• In Event: Structural Brain Imaging Correlates of Crime

Abstract

Although there is an increasing amount of brain imaging research on antisocial behavior, relatively few studies have examined the role of the striatum on such behavior. Furthermore, findings on the striatum-antisocial behavior relationship have been mixed. This study tests the hypothesis that the volume of the striatum, a region involved in processing reward-related information, is increased in individuals with antisocial personality disorder. 156 adult men were recruited from temporary employment agencies. Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were assessed alongside antisocial personality disorder. The volume of the striatum, as well as specific subregions of the striatum, in individuals with antisocial personality disorder is compared to that of a control group. Given that prior studies examining the striatum and antisocial personality disorder have been conducted on small samples, this study has the potential to add to the empirical literature on the role of the striatum and to shed greater light on the neurobiological etiology of antisocial behavior.

Authors

• Olivia Choy, University of Pennsylvania

• Adrian Raine, University of Pennsylvania

• Yaling Yang, Children's Hospital Los Angeles / University of Southern California