Neurocognitive function in antisocial personality disorder

Recent neuroimaging studies and neuropsychological test findings support the contention that prefrontal dysfunction is associated with psychopathic personality 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 sensitive to frontal lobe dysfunction and a battery of personality questionnaires and clinical scales sensitive to antisocial personality disorder (APD) subjects presenting with prominent psychopathic personality features and matched control subjects. We also monitored the subjects' electrodermal activity during the presentation of emotionally charged stimuli. APD subjects showed greater neuropsychological deficits on measures sensitive to orbitofrontal dysfunction in comparison to control participants. Moreover, APD subjects were electrodermally hyporesponsive to aversive stimuli relative to control 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, self-reproaching, guilt-prone, and socially anxious than matched control subjects. Moreover, the scores indicated that APD subjects were more venturesome and uninhibited relative to control subjects. Contrary to expectations, APD subjects and community control subjects did not differ on a self-report measure of sensitivity to specific phobic situations.