Journal Article

FZJ-2019-02191

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Callous-unemotional traits and brain structure: Sex-specific effects in anterior insula of typically-developing youths

Raschle, N. M. (Corresponding author) ; Menks, W. M. ; Fehlbaum, L. V. ; Steppan, M. ; Smaragdi, A. ; Gonzalez-Madruga, K. ; Rogers, J. ; Clanton, R. ; Kohls, G. ; Martinelli, A. ; Bernhard, A. ; Konrad, K.FZJ* ; Herpertz-Dahlmann, B. ; Freitag, C. M. ; Fairchild, G. ; De Brito, S. A. ; Stadler, C.

2018
Elsevier [Amsterdam u.a.]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/21921  doi:10.1016/j.nicl.2017.12.015

Abstract: Callous-unemotional traits are characterized by a lack of empathy, a disregard for others' feelings and shallow or deficient affect, such as a lack of remorse or guilt. Neuroanatomical correlates of callous-unemotional traits have been demonstrated in clinical samples (i.e., adolescents with disruptive behavior disorders). However, it is unknown whether callous-unemotional traits are associated with neuroanatomical correlates within normative populations without clinical levels of aggression or antisocial behavior. Here we investigated the relationship between callous-unemotional traits and gray matter volume using voxel-based morphometry in a large sample of typically-developing boys and girls (N = 189). Whole-brain multiple regression analyses controlling for site, total intracranial volume, and age were conducted in the whole sample and in boys and girls individually. Results revealed that sex and callous-unemotional traits interacted to predict gray matter volume when considering the whole sample. This interaction was driven by a significant positive correlation between callous-unemotional traits and bilateral anterior insula volume in boys, but not girls. Insula gray matter volume explained 19% of the variance in callous-unemotional traits for boys. Our results demonstrate that callous-unemotional traits are related to variations in brain structure beyond psychiatric samples. This association was observed for boys only, underlining the importance of considering sex as a factor in future research designs. Future longitudinal studies should determine whether these findings hold over childhood and adolescence, and whether the neuroanatomical correlates of callous-unemotional traits are predictive of future psychiatric vulnerability.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Jara-Institut Quantum Information (INM-11)

Research Program(s):

1. 572 - (Dys-)function and Plasticity (POF3-572) (POF3-572)

Appears in the scientific report 2019

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Database coverage:
; ; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; DOAJ Seal ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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