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Translational Psychiatry Oct 2023The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published in 2013, includes an alternative model of personality disorders (AMPD)...
The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published in 2013, includes an alternative model of personality disorders (AMPD) focusing on a maladaptive trait model utilized to diagnose several personality disorders. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) are two conditions categorized by AMPD that exhibit high rates of violence and aggression. Several of the traits outlined in the AMPD, including hostility, impulsivity, risk-taking, and callousness, have been previously linked to aggression in BPD and ASPD. However, to the best of our knowledge, there has never been a synthesis of neuroimaging studies that have investigated links between these traits and aggression in BPD and ASPD. To overcome this gap, we conducted a systematic review under the PRISMA framework to locate neuroimaging articles published since the release of AMPD linking trait anger/hostility, impulsivity, risk-taking, and callousness to aggression in BPD and ASPD. Key findings included the following: i) anger/hostility, associated with alterations in the interplay between prefrontal and subcortical regions (primarily the amygdala), may be a common factor explaining aggressive reactions to response to interpersonal threat or provocation; ii) alterations of fronto-temporal-limbic regions and serotonergic and endocannabinoid signaling systems may link impulsivity to aggression in BPD and ASPD; iii) weaker cortico-striatal connectivity could relate to greater risk taking and greater proclivity for violence. Insufficient evidence from neuroimaging articles was discerned to describe a relationship between callousness and aggression. Overall, results of this review reveal a relative paucity of neuroimaging studies examining AMPD traits relevant to aggression in BPD and ASPD. In addition to encouraging further investigation of neuroimaging markers of AMPD traits linked to aggression, we recommend multi-methodological designs, including the incorporation of other biomarkers, such as hormones and indices of physiological arousal, to fully expand our understanding of aggression in BPD and ASPD.
Topics: Humans; Aggression; Anger; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Borderline Personality Disorder; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
PubMed: 37884552
DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02612-1 -
International Journal of Environmental... Aug 2022Criminal offenders constitute a high-risk sample regarding experiences of childhood maltreatment and engagement in severe aggression. Moreover, psychopathic traits are...
Criminal offenders constitute a high-risk sample regarding experiences of childhood maltreatment and engagement in severe aggression. Moreover, psychopathic traits are more common in samples of offenders than non-offenders. Although research has underlined the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adult aggression, the influence of psychopathy on this link is still unclear. We examined the dynamics of maltreatment, aggression, and psychopathy in a mixed sample of 239 male violent, sexual, and other offenders using latent factor structural equation modeling. We found a consistent positive association of maltreatment with aggression. Psychopathy did not mediate this relation. Maltreatment was not associated with psychopathy, although psychopathy had a positive effect on aggressive behavior. These dynamics appeared similar for violent, sexual, and other offenders. However, latent variables were constructed somewhat differently depending on the offender status. For instance, sexual abuse appeared to be of specific importance in sexual offenders. Violent offenders showed high rates of psychopathy compared to sexual and other offenders. The current findings may inspire future research to focus more closely on the different subtypes of psychopathy when examining its role in the prediction of aggression based on childhood maltreatment. Moreover, childhood maltreatment must not be neglected in treatment and prevention approaches aimed at reducing the risk of aggressive behavior.
Topics: Adult; Aggression; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Criminals; Humans; Male; Sex Offenses
PubMed: 35954941
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159584 -
European Neuropsychopharmacology : the... Jan 2020The RBFOX1 gene (or A2BP1) encodes a splicing factor important for neuronal development that has been related to autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental... (Review)
Review
The RBFOX1 gene (or A2BP1) encodes a splicing factor important for neuronal development that has been related to autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Evidence from complementary sources suggests that this gene contributes to aggressive behavior. Suggestive associations with RBFOX1 have been identified in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of anger, conduct disorder, and aggressive behavior. Nominal association signals in RBFOX1 were also found in an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of aggressive behavior. Also, variants in this gene affect temporal lobe volume, a brain area that is altered in several aggression-related phenotypes. In animals, this gene has been shown to modulate aggressive behavior in Drosophila. RBFOX1 has also been associated with canine aggression and is upregulated in mice that show increased aggression after frustration of an expected reward. Associated common genetic variants as well as rare duplications and deletions affecting RBFOX1 have been identified in several psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders that are often comorbid with aggressive behaviors. In this paper, we comprehensively review the cumulative evidence linking RBFOX1 to aggression behavior and provide new results implicating RBFOX1 in this phenotype. Most of these studies (genetic and epigenetic analyses in humans, neuroimaging genetics, gene expression and animal models) are hypothesis-free, which strengthens the validity of the findings, although all the evidence is nominal and should therefore be taken with caution. Further studies are required to clarify in detail the role of this gene in this complex phenotype.
Topics: Aggression; Animals; Epigenesis, Genetic; Genetic Association Studies; Genetic Variation; Genome-Wide Association Study; Humans; RNA Splicing Factors
PubMed: 29174947
DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2017.11.012 -
Proceedings. Biological Sciences Dec 2019Violent conflicts between groups have been observed among many species of group living mammals and can have important fitness consequences, with individuals being...
Violent conflicts between groups have been observed among many species of group living mammals and can have important fitness consequences, with individuals being injured or killed and with losing groups surrendering territory. Here, we explore between-group conflict among meerkats (), a highly social and cooperatively breeding mongoose. We show that interactions between meerkat groups are frequently aggressive and sometimes escalate to fighting and lethal violence and that these interactions have consequences for group territories, with losing groups moving to sleeping burrows closer to the centre of their territories following an intergroup interaction and with winning groups moving further away. We find that larger groups and groups with pups are significantly more likely to win contests, but that the location of the contest, adult sex ratio, and mean within-group genetic relatedness do not predict contest outcome. Our results suggest that intergroup competition may be a major selective force among meerkats, reinforcing the success of large groups and increasing the vulnerability of small groups to extinction. The presence of both within-group cooperation and between-group hostility in meerkats make them a valuable point of comparison in attempts to understand the ecological and evolutionary roots of human warfare.
Topics: Aggression; Animals; Behavior, Animal; Female; Herpestidae; Male
PubMed: 31847765
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1993 -
Psychiatria Danubina 2023To compare adolescents clinically diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and problematic internet use (PIU) in terms of cyberbullying, aggression, and loneliness.
AIMS
To compare adolescents clinically diagnosed with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and problematic internet use (PIU) in terms of cyberbullying, aggression, and loneliness.
METHODS
Male adolescent patients (N=124, 14.3±1.7 years) with Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) scores ≥50 were clinically interviewed for IGD in utilizing DSM-5 criteria. Patients without full IGD criteria were included as PIU comparisons. Clinical variables were assessed using the second version of the Revised Cyber Bullying Inventory, short-form of the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire, Child Depression Inventory, and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders.
RESULTS
Compared to individuals with PIU, those with IGD were significantly more likely to have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, higher social phobia scores, higher cyberbullying scores, higher loneliness scores, been a cyberbully, and been a cyberbully victim.
CONCLUSION
Male adolescents with IGD have higher rates of psychiatric comorbidity, perceived loneliness, cyberbullying, and being a victim of cyberbullying than those with PIU. Future studies could evaluate these predictors of transition from PIU to IGD in large cohort samples.
Topics: Child; Adolescent; Humans; Male; Cyberbullying; Internet Addiction Disorder; Loneliness; Internet Use; Behavior, Addictive; Comorbidity; Aggression; Internet
PubMed: 37917844
DOI: 10.24869/psyd.2023.395 -
Hormones and Behavior Aug 2021Aggression is a fundamental behavior displayed universally among animal species, but hyper- or hypo-aggressiveness can be maladaptive with negative consequences for...
Aggression is a fundamental behavior displayed universally among animal species, but hyper- or hypo-aggressiveness can be maladaptive with negative consequences for individuals and group members. While the social and ecological significance of aggression is well understood, the specific neurobiological and hormonal mechanisms responsible for mediating aggression have not been fully elucidated. Previous studies have shown a relationship between aggressive acts and circulating gonadal steroids, but whether classical nuclear steroid receptors regulate aggression in animals is still uncertain. We examined whether the nuclear androgen receptor (Ar) and nuclear progestin receptor (Pgr) were necessary for aggressive behaviors and maintenance of a dominance relationship in male zebrafish (Danio rerio). Dyadic social interactions of Ar knockout (ArKO), Pgr knockout (PgrKO) and wildtype (WT) controls were observed for two weeks (2-weeks). ArKO zebrafish were significantly less aggressive and had a less defined dominance relationship, whereas PgrKO dominant zebrafish were significantly and persistently more aggressive with a robust dominance relationship. Our results demonstrate the importance of nuclear steroid hormone receptors in regulating aggression of adult male zebrafish and provide new models for understanding of the mechanisms of aggression.
Topics: Aggression; Androgens; Animals; Humans; Male; Receptors, Progesterone; Social Dominance; Zebrafish
PubMed: 34153924
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2021.105012 -
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews Feb 2023DNA methylation (DNAm) is one of the most frequently studied epigenetic mechanisms facilitating the interplay of genomic and environmental factors, which can contribute... (Review)
Review
DNA methylation (DNAm) is one of the most frequently studied epigenetic mechanisms facilitating the interplay of genomic and environmental factors, which can contribute to externalizing behaviours and related psychiatric disorders. Previous epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) for externalizing behaviours have been limited in sample size, and, therefore, candidate genes and biomarkers with robust evidence are still lacking. We 1) performed a systematic literature review of EWAS of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)- and aggression-related behaviours conducted in peripheral tissue and cord blood and 2) combined the most strongly associated DNAm sites observed in individual studies (p < 10) to identify candidate genes and biological systems for ADHD and aggressive behaviours. We observed enrichment for neuronal processes and neuronal cell marker genes for ADHD. Astrocyte and granulocytes cell markers among genes annotated to DNAm sites were relevant for both ADHD and aggression-related behaviours. Only 1 % of the most significant epigenetic findings for ADHD/ADHD symptoms were likely to be directly explained by genetic factors involved in ADHD. Finally, we discuss how the field would greatly benefit from larger sample sizes and harmonization of assessment instruments.
Topics: Humans; DNA Methylation; Epigenome; Epigenesis, Genetic; Aggression; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Genome-Wide Association Study
PubMed: 36566803
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104997 -
Psychiatry Research Oct 2019While prominent models of suicidal behavior emphasize the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, studies examining its role have yielded contradictory...
While prominent models of suicidal behavior emphasize the hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, studies examining its role have yielded contradictory results. One possible explanation is that suicide attempters are a heterogeneous group and HPA axis dysregulation plays a more important role only in a subset of suicidal individuals. HPA axis dysregulation also plays a role in impulsivity and aggression. We hypothesize subgroups of attempters, based on levels of impulsivity and aggression, will differ in HPA axis dysregulation. We examined baseline cortisol, total cortisol output, and cortisol reactivity in mood disordered suicide attempters (N = 35) and non-attempters (N = 37) during the Trier Social Stress Test. Suicide attempters were divided into four subgroups: low aggression/low impulsivity, high aggression/low impulsivity, low aggression/high impulsivity, and high aggression/high impulsivity. As hypothesized, attempters and non-attempters did not differ in any cortisol measures while stress response differed based on impulsivity/aggression levels in suicide attempters, and when compared to non-attempters. Specifically, attempters with high impulsive aggression had a more pronounced cortisol response compared with other groups. This is the first study to examine the relationship between cortisol response and suicidal behavior in impulsive aggressive subgroups of attempters. These findings may help to identify a stress responsive suicidal subtype of individuals.
Topics: Adult; Aggression; Female; Humans; Hydrocortisone; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Impulsive Behavior; Male; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Stress, Psychological; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide, Attempted; Young Adult
PubMed: 31376789
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112486 -
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Mar 2022Research on sex differences in the association of psychopathy with fluid intelligence is limited, and it remains unknown if fluid intelligence plays a meaningful role in...
Research on sex differences in the association of psychopathy with fluid intelligence is limited, and it remains unknown if fluid intelligence plays a meaningful role in explaining the psychopathy-aggression link for men and women. The present study aimed to test for sex differences in the relation between the four-facet model of psychopathy and intelligence, and to assess whether fluid intelligence moderates the link between psychopathy and aggression. In a community sample of men ( = 356) and women ( = 196), we assessed psychopathy using the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV), fluid intelligence using the Raven's Progressive Matrices, and types of aggression using the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ). Hierarchical regressions showed that the psychopathy lifestyle facet was negatively associated with intelligence and there were no sex differences. Our analyses for types of aggression revealed sex differences and similarities. For both men and women, total AQ scores were predicted by higher antisocial facet scores. Lower intelligence moderated the link between higher antisocial facet scores and aggression in men, but not for women. Physical aggression in women was associated with higher interpersonal, affective, and antisocial facet scores, whereas for men, it was only associated with higher antisocial facet scores. Verbal and indirect aggression were associated with higher intelligence in both men and women. For men only, higher antisocial facet scores were associated with verbal and indirect aggression. Higher intelligence moderated the link between the lifestyle facet and indirect aggression for women, whereas for men, it moderated the link between the affective facet and indirect aggression. This study further highlights sex differences in mechanisms of psychopathy-related aggression, which need to be considered in the development of violence interventions and risk assessment.
Topics: Aggression; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Female; Humans; Intelligence; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Violence
PubMed: 32787489
DOI: 10.1177/0886260520943718 -
Research on Child and Adolescent... May 2022This study examined whether interactive Virtual Reality (VR) provides a more ecologically valid assessment of children's aggressive social information processing (SIP)...
This study examined whether interactive Virtual Reality (VR) provides a more ecologically valid assessment of children's aggressive social information processing (SIP) and aggressive responses than a standard vignette-based assessment. We developed a virtual classroom where children could meet and play games with virtual peers. Participants were boys (N = 184; ages 7-13) from regular education and special education for children with disruptive behavior problems. They reported on their SIP in four scenarios (i.e., two instrumental gain and two provocation scenarios) presented through both interactive VR and vignettes. Teachers reported on children's real-life aggressive behavior and reactive and proactive motives for aggression. Results demonstrated that children found the interactive VR assessment more emotionally engaging and immersive than the vignette-based assessment. Moreover, compared to vignettes, the interactive VR assessment evoked higher levels of aggressive SIP and responses in provocation scenarios only. Results supported the enhanced predictive validity of the interactive VR assessment of children's aggressive SIP and responses, which predicted children's real-life aggression above and beyond the vignette-based assessment with 2 to 12% additional explained variance. Similar results were found for children's real-life reactive and proactive motives for aggression, with 3 to 12% additional variance explained by interactive VR above and beyond vignettes. Interactive VR did not, however, evoke larger individual differences (i.e., variances) in children's aggressive SIP and responses than vignettes. Together, these findings suggest that interactive VR provides a more ecologically valid method to assess children's aggressive SIP and responses than hypothetical vignettes.
Topics: Adolescent; Aggression; Child; Cognition; Female; Humans; Male; Peer Group; Problem Behavior; Virtual Reality
PubMed: 34648102
DOI: 10.1007/s10802-021-00879-w