Callous and uncaring traits are associated with reductions in amygdala volume among youths with varying levels of conduct problems.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:The emergence of callous unemotional (CU) traits, and associated externalizing behaviors, is believed to reflect underlying dysfunction in the amygdala. Studies of adults with CU traits or psychopathy have linked characteristic patterns of amygdala dysfunction to reduced amygdala volume, but studies in youths have not thus far found evidence of similar amygdala volume reductions. The current study examined the association between CU traits and amygdala volume by modeling CU traits and externalizing behavior as independent continuous variables, and explored the relative contributions of callous, uncaring, and unemotional traits. METHODS:CU traits and externalizing behavior problems were assessed in 148 youths using the Inventory of Callous Unemotional Traits (ICU) and the Child B

SUBMITTER: Cardinale EM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7074929 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature