Mesolimbic dopamine reward system hypersensitivity in individuals with psychopathic traits

Nat Neurosci. 2010 Apr;13(4):419-21. doi: 10.1038/nn.2510. Epub 2010 Mar 14.

Abstract

Psychopathy is a personality disorder that is strongly linked to criminal behavior. Using [(18)F]fallypride positron emission tomography and blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging, we found that impulsive-antisocial psychopathic traits selectively predicted nucleus accumbens dopamine release and reward anticipation-related neural activity in response to pharmacological and monetary reinforcers, respectively. These findings suggest that neurochemical and neurophysiological hyper-reactivity of the dopaminergic reward system may comprise a neural substrate for impulsive-antisocial behavior and substance abuse in psychopathy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / metabolism*
  • Antisocial Personality Disorder / psychology*
  • Brain Mapping / methods
  • Criminals / psychology
  • Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / metabolism
  • Impulsive Behavior / psychology
  • Limbic System / metabolism
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Nucleus Accumbens / metabolism*
  • Personality Assessment
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Receptors, Dopamine / metabolism*
  • Reward*
  • Single-Blind Method
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Receptors, Dopamine
  • Dopamine