Cortical structure in relation to empathy and psychopathy in 800 incarcerated men.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Reduced empathy is a hallmark of individuals with high psychopathy, who are overrepresented among incarcerated men. However, a comprehensive mapping of cortical structure in relation to empathy and psychopathy is lacking.

Methods

In 804 incarcerated adult men, we administered the Perspective Taking (IRI-PT) and Empathic Concern (IRI-EC) subscales of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index, Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; Interpersonal/Affective [F1] and Lifestyle/Antisocial [F2] factors), and T1-weighted MRI to quantify cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA). We also included the male sample from the Human Connectome Project (HCP; N = 501) to probe the replicability of structural-covariance gradients.

Results

PCL-R F1 was uniquely negatively re

SUBMITTER: Radecki MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11996374 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature