The relationship between large cavum septum pellucidum and antisocial behavior, callous‐unemotional traits and psychopathy in adolescents. (31st August 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: White, Stuart F.; Brislin, Sarah; Sinclair, Stephen; Fowler, Katherine A.; Pope, Kayla; Blair, R. James R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry and allied disciplines. Volume 54:Number 5(2013:May)
• Page Start: 575
• Page End: 581
• Publication Date: 2012-08-31
• Subjects: Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.4
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2012.02603.x
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9630

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold>Background: </bold> The presence of a large cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) has been previously associated with antisocial behavior/psychopathic traits in an adult community sample.</p> <p> <bold>Aims: </bold> The current study investigated the relationship between a large CSP and symptom severity in disruptive behavior disorders (DBD; conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder).</p> <p> <bold>Method: </bold> Structural MRI scans of youth with DBDs (<italic>N</italic> = 32) and healthy comparison youth (<italic>N</italic> = 27) were examined for the presence of a large CSP and if this was related to symptom severity.</p> <p> <bold>Results: </bold> Replicating previous results, a large CSP was associated with DBD diagnosis, proactive aggression, and level of psychopathic traits in youth. However, the presence of a large CSP was unrelated to aggression or psychopathic traits within the DBD sample.</p> <p> <bold>Conclusions: </bold> Early brain mal‐development may increase the risk of a DBD diagnosis, but does not mark a particularly severe form of DBD within patients receiving these diagnoses.</p> </abstract>