Diagnostic procedures and classification of antisocial behavior in Norwegian inmates in preventive detention

In official Norwegian government reports’ prison statistics, it is claimed that the prevalence of Dissocial Personality Disorder (DPD) or Antisocial Personality Disorder (APD) among inmates in preventive detention is approximately 50%. Furthermore, previous findings have described a practice in which forensic examiners use the DSM SCID axis II for APD to confirm an ICD 10 diagnosis of DPD. Clinical investigation supported by the use of SCID Axis II for quality assurance was performed on almost half the population of inmates (46.4%) in preventive detention at a high security prison. The inmates had all committed severe violent acts including murder. All the information obtained by applying the DSM IV-TR criteria was tested against the ICD-10 Research Criteria (ICD-10-RC) for Dissocial Personality Disorder (ICD-10, DPD). It was found that all inmates met the ICD-10-RC for (DPD) and the DSM-IV-TR definition for Adult Antisocial Behavior (AAB). On the other hand, none met the DSM-IV-TR criteria for (APD). The SCID Axis II failed to identify inmates with APD because the DSM-IV-TR C-criteria, referring to symptoms of childhood Conduct Disorder (CD), were not met. These findings raise important questions since the choice of diagnostic system may influence whether a person’s clinically described antisocial behaviour should be classified as a personality disorder or not. For the inmates, a diagnosis of APD or DPD may compromise their legal rights and affect decisions on prolongation of the preventive detention. Studies have shown that combining the DSM and the ICD diagnostic systems may have consequences for the reliability of the diagnosis.

Sex dimorphic cortical brain volumes associated with antisocial behavior in young adults

Background:Although sex differences in antisocial behavior are well-documented,the extent to which neuroanatomical differences are related to sex differences in antisocial behavior is unclear.The inconsistent results from different clinical populations exhibiting antisocial behaviors are mainly due to the heterogeneity in etiologies,comorbidity inequality,and small sample size,especially in females.Objective:The study aimed to find sexual dimorphic brain regions associated with individual differences in antisocial behavior while avoiding the issues of heterogeneity and sample size.Methods:We collected structural neuroimaging data from 281 college students(131 males,150 females)and analyzed the data using voxel-based morphometry.Results:The gray matter volume in three brain regions correlates with self-reported antisocial behavior in males and females differ-ently:the posterior superior temporal sulcus,middle temporal gyrus,and precuneus.The findings have controlled for the total cortical gray matter volume,age,IQ,and socioeconomic status.Additionally,we found a common neural substrate of antisocial behavior in both males and females,extending from the anterior temporal lobe to the insula.Conclusion:This is the first neuroanatomical evidence from a large non-clinical sample of young adults.The study suggests that differences in males and females in reading social cues,understanding intentions and emotions,and responding to conflicts may contribute to the modulation of brain morphometry concerning antisocial behavior.