Neurocognitive function in antisocial personality disorder

Recent neuroimaging studies and neuropsychological test findings support th e contention that prefrontal dysfunction is associated with psychopathic pe rsonality traits and antisocial behavior. However, conflicting results have arisen regarding performance on measures of frontal executive function. We administered a neuropsychological test battery consisting of measures sens itive to frontal lobe dysfunction and a battery of personality questionnair es and clinical scales sensitive to antisocial personality disorder (APD) s ubjects presenting with prominent psychopathic personality features and mat ched control subjects. We also monitored the subjects' electrodermal activi ty during the presentation of emotionally charged stimuli. APD subjects sho wed greater neuropsychological deficits on measures sensitive to orbitofron tal dysfunction in comparison to control participants. Moreover, APD subjec ts were electrodermally hyporesponsive to aversive stimuli relative to cont rol group members. APD subjects did not demonstrate performance deficits on classical tests of frontal executive function. Participants also underwent clinical assessment. As expected, APD subjects were less conscientious, se lf-reproaching, guilt-prone, and socially anxious than matched control subj ects. Moreover, the scores indicated that APD subjects were more venturesom e and uninhibited relative to control subjects. Contrary to expectations, A PD subjects and community control subjects did not differ on a self-report measure of sensitivity to specific phobic situations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.