Increased structural connectivity in corpus callosum in adolescent males with conduct disorder

Adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) are at high risk for developing adult antisocial personality disorder. However, the underlying neuropathophysiology of CD remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that the microstructure of white matter (WM) of males with CD may differ from that of healthy control subjects (HCs).

Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) and quantitative tractography were used to assess WM microstructural differences between 36 teenaged boys with CD and 33 demographically matched HCs.

The CD group behavioral scale scores were significantly higher than those of the HCs on the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Antisocial Process Screening Device total scales. TBSS revealed that, relative to HCs, the CD group had higher fractional anisotropy (FA) in the corpus callosum (CC) region, bilaterally, including the genu and body of the CC, as well as in some projection fibers in the region of the left anterior coronal radiate and right superior coronal radiate. Tractography confirmed higher FA of fibers passing through the regions with significant differences in the TBSS results. Exploratory analysis revealed that impulsivity associated positively with the FA of these fibers in the CD group.

Maturation of WM microstructure in CD subjects differed from that in HCs, mainly in the CC. The abnormal maturation of WM structures may play an important role in the impulsivity and aggression of teenagers with CD.