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Youth with conduct problems exhibit reduced gray matter volume in multiple regions

Meta-analysis indicated reduced gray matter volume in the insula, amygdala, frontal and temporal regions among youth with conduct problems.

“Youths with [conduct problems] are a highly heterogeneous population that incorporates different subgroups, potentially reflecting distinct etiological pathways to [conduct problems]. Several approaches have attempted to account for this heterogeneity, with two included within the DSM-5,” the researchers wrote. “The first is the age-based distinction between childhood-onset and adolescent-onset [conduct disorder], introduced in DSM-IV… The second subtyping approach distinguishes youths with [conduct problems] as those with high callous-unemotional vs. low [callous-unemotional] traits.”

Researchers analyzed 18 whole-brain structural neuroimaging studies among 394 youth with conduct problems that used voxel-based morphometry to identify gray matter abnormalities. The studies also included 350 typically developing youth.

Youth with conduct problems had decreased gray matter volume in the left amygdala (P < .001), right insula (P < .001), left medial superior frontal gyrus (P = .001) and left fusiform gyrus (P = .003).

A subgroup meta-analysis that assessed age-at-onset effects indicated reduced gray matter volume in the left amygdala (P < .001) extending into anterior insula.

Greater scores on measures of callous-unemotional traits were associated with lower reduction in gray matter volume in the left putamen (P < .001), according to meta-regression analyses.

The proportion of males and females in the sample was associated with decreased gray matter volume in the left amygdala (P < .001) and increased volume in the right inferior temporal cortex (P < .001).

Age range was associated with gray matter differences in the left amygdala, though was not associated with comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or IQ.

“The results of this meta-analysis suggest that youths with [conduct problems] present with significantly reduced [gray matter volume] in the left amygdala and insula bilaterally, extending ventrolaterally into the [ventrolateral prefrontal cortex]/[orbitofrontal cortex] and inferiorly into the [superior temporal gyrus] on the right. Youths with [conduct problems] also showed reduced [gray matter volume] in the left medial superior frontal gyrus, incorporating the right rostral [anterior cingulate cortex], and the left fusiform gyrus,” the researchers wrote. “These findings help build a more coherent account of structural abnormalities in youths with [conduct problems].” – by Amanda Oldt

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.