Clinical Trial: Psychological Mechanisms of Behavioral Dysregulation

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Psychobiological Mechanisms of Behavioral Dysregulation

Brief Summary:

This study is directed toward a better understanding of how the brain regulates emotions and social and antisocial behavior. It will look at the use of the orbital frontal cortex and amygdala of the brain. Brain changes are involved in solving conflicts and the feelings that such conflicts produce. Conflicts may occur with other people or with general social rules. The researchers' expectations are that the findings will be useful in developing therapies that may improve people's ability to solve social conflicts and reduce antisocial behavior.

Adults ages 20 to 50 years of age with psychopathy and a second set of comparison adults, all of whom have been released from the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, may be eligible for this study.

The neurocognitive component of the study, the one pertaining to performance of various tasks, will involve 20 adults with psychopathy and 20 comparison adults. The neuroimaging component, in which a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is used, will involve 18 adults and 18 comparison adults. Two visits by participants will be entailed. At the first visit, patients will undergo the following procedures and tests:

  • Physical examination
  • Test of vital signs, lying and standing.
  • Electrocardiogram.
  • Collection of blood for chemistry and hematology.
  • Urinalysis and liver function tests.
  • Screen for HIV and hepatitis.
  • Pregnancy test, if applicable, at the first visit and at all further visits.

Depending on the group to which they are assigned, at the s

Detailed Summary:

The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (Hare, 1991) allows the identification of a relatively homogeneous population of individuals who present with marked emotional dysfunction (reduced empathy, guilt and attachment to others) as well as a notable propensity for goal-directed antisocial behavior. Identification of the neuro-biological underpinnings of their emotional dysfunction is of crucial importance as the level of emotion dysfunction is an important predictor of long term prognosis.

Currently, there are two main positions regarding the neural systems that are dysfunctional in individuals with psychopathy: First, that the pathology is associated with amygdala dysfunction; Secondly, that the pathology is associated with orbital frontal cortex dysfunction. A third, more recent position, stresses the interconnections between these two systems and the role that development may play in the disorder.

The current project will determine the performance of individuals with psychopathy and comparison individuals on measures which recruit the amygdala and orbital frontal cortex. In addition, a series of functional neuro-imaging studies will directly assess neural responses in these two systems in individuals with psychopathy. Finally, a structural imaging study will examine anatomical differences between the groups. The project should provide clear data that will constrain future theorizing on the pathology implicated in this disorder.


Sponsor: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Current Primary Outcome:

Original Primary Outcome:

Current Secondary Outcome:

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (CC)

Dates:
Date Received: July 13, 2006
Date Started: August 27, 2004
Date Completion: April 21, 2008
Last Updated: January 24, 2017
Last Verified: April 21, 2008