Psychobiology of persistent antisocial behavior: stress, early vulnerabilities and the attenuation hypothesis

Stress experienced during the sensitive prenatal, postnatal and early childhood periods of brain development can have damaging consequences for developing biological systems. Stressors imposed by early physical vulnerabilities and an adverse care giving environment is proposed to set in motion early precursors of later persistent antisocial behavior. The purpose of this report is to present an integrated theoretical perspective of potential mechanisms involved in the development of persistent antisocial behavior with an emphasis on early stressors and the neuroendocrinology of stress. The attenuation of endocrine physiology of the stress system is considered a key mechanism involved in persistent antisocial behavior. The amygdala is considered a structure/process linking subjective experiences, emotional learning, brain development and stress physiology. Attenuated cortisol level subsequent to early vulnerabilities is considered a risk marker for persistent antisocial behavior.