Abstract
We provide an overview of the neurobiological underpinnings of psychopathy. Cognitive and affective-emotional processing deficits are associated with abnormal brain structure and function, particularly the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex. There is limited evidence of lower cortisol levels being associated with psychopathic personality. Initial developmental research is beginning to suggest that these neurobiological processes may have their origins early in life. Findings suggest that psychopathic personality may, in part, have a neurodevelopmental basis. Future longitudinal studies delineating neurobiological correlates of the analogues of interpersonal-affective and antisocial features of psychopathy in children are needed to further substantiate a neurodevelopmental hypothesis of psychopathy.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Amygdala / physiopathology
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Antisocial Personality Disorder / diagnosis
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Antisocial Personality Disorder / physiopathology*
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Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology
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Arousal / physiology
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Brain / abnormalities
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Brain / physiopathology*
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Brain Damage, Chronic / diagnosis
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Brain Damage, Chronic / physiopathology
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Brain Damage, Chronic / psychology
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Brain Mapping
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Child
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Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
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Cognition Disorders / physiopathology
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Cognition Disorders / psychology
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Conduct Disorder / diagnosis
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Conduct Disorder / physiopathology
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Conduct Disorder / psychology
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Dominance, Cerebral / physiology
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Emotions / physiology
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Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
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Hippocampus / physiopathology
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Humans
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Hydrocortisone / blood
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Nerve Net / physiopathology
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Personal Construct Theory
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Prefrontal Cortex / physiopathology
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Risk Factors
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Temporal Lobe / physiopathology