Resting-state connectivity underlying cognitive control's association with perspective taking in callous-unemotional traits. (June 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Winters, Drew E.; Leopold, Daniel R.; Carter, R. McKell; Sakai, Joseph T.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 331(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Subjects: Cognitive control -- Perspective taking -- Callous-unemotional traits -- GIMME -- Functional connectivity; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Brain -- Imaging -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Diagnostic Imaging -- Periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; Cerveau -- Imagerie pour le diagnostic -- Périodiques; 616.890754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111615
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0925-4927

Abstract

Highlights: Callous-unemotional (CU) traits negatively associated with cognitive control directly. Cognitive control negatively associated with CU via perspective taking. Social brain region connectivity negatively associated with CU via perspective taking. Conflict brain region connectivity negatively associated with CU via cognitive control. Reduced negative between network density positively associated with CU directly. Abstract: Callous-Unemotional (CU) traits are often associated with impairments in perspective taking and cognitive control (regulating goal directed behavior); and adolescents with CU traits demonstrate aberrant brain activation/connectivity in areas underlying these processes. Together cognitive control and perspective taking are thought to link mechanistically to explain CU traits. Because increased cognitive control demands modulate perspective taking ability among both typically developing samples and individuals with elevated CU traits, understanding the neurophysiological substrates of these constructs could inform efforts to alleviate societal costs of antisocial behavior. The present study uses GIMME to examine the heterogenous functional brain properties (i.e., connection density, node centrality) underlying cognitive control's influence on perspective taking among adolescents on a CU trait continuum. Results reveal that cognitive control had a negative indirect association with CU traits via perspective taking; and brain connectivity indirectly associated with lower CU traits – specifically the social network via perspective taking and conflict network via cognitive control. Additionally, less negative connection density between the social and conflict networks was directly associated with higher CU traits. Our results support the growing literature on cognitive control's influence on socio-cognitive functioning in CU traits and extends that work by identifying underlying functional brain properties.