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Aberrant type 2 dopamine receptor availability in violent offenders with psychopathy
Lasse Lukkarinen1, Jouni Tuisku2, Lihua Sun2
1Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Finland; Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners, University of Turku, Finland.
Neuroimage
|July 6, 2024
Summary
This study found lower dopamine D2 receptor availability in the brains of individuals with psychopathy. This suggests dopamine D2 receptor signaling may play a key role in the neurobiology of psychopathy.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Psychopathy is a personality disorder marked by antisocial behavior, impulsivity, and lack of empathy.
- The precise molecular brain mechanisms underlying psychopathy are not well understood.
- Previous research suggests potential alterations in neurotransmitter systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the availability of type 2 dopamine receptors (D2R) and mu-opioid receptors (MOR) in the brains of individuals with high psychopathic traits.
- To explore the relationship between psychopathic traits and the availability of these receptors.
Main Methods:
- Positron emission tomography (PET) was used to measure D2R and MOR availability.
- Radioligands [11C]raclopride (for D2R) and [11C]carfentanil (for MOR) were utilized.
- The study included convicted violent offenders with high psychopathic traits and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Individuals with psychopathy showed reduced D2R availability in the caudate and putamen.
- Striatal D2R availability correlated with the severity of psychopathic traits in the prisoner group.
- No significant group differences in MOR availability were observed, though correlations with psychopathic traits were found in specific brain regions.
Conclusions:
- Dopamine D2 receptor signaling is implicated as a potential neuromolecular pathway contributing to psychopathy.
- The role of the mu-opioid receptor system in psychopathy appears less prominent based on this study's findings.
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