Decision making and executive function in male adolescents with early-onset or adolescence-onset conduct disorder and control subjects.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although conduct disorder (CD) is associated with an increased susceptibility to substance use disorders, little is known about decision-making processes or reward mechanisms in CD. This study investigated decision making under varying motivational conditions in CD.

Methods

Performances on the Risky Choice Task (RCT) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) were assessed in 156 adolescents (84 control subjects, 34 with adolescence-onset CD, and 38 with early-onset CD). The RCT was performed twice, once under normal motivational conditions and once under conditions of increased motivation and psychosocial stress.

Results

Increased motivation and stress led to more cautious decision making and changes in framing effects on the RCT in all groups, although su

SUBMITTER: Fairchild G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2733860 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature