Disrupted functional connectome in antisocial personality disorder
Studies on antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) subjects focus on brain functional alterations in relation to antisocial behaviors. Neuroimaging research has identified a number of focal brain regions with abnormal structures or functions in ASPD. However, little is known about the connections among brain regions in terms of inter regional whole brain networks in ASPD patients, as well as possible alterations of brain functional topological organization. In this study, we employ resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (R fMRI) to examine functional connectome of 32 ASPD patients and 35 normal controls by using a variety of network properties, including small worldness, modularity, and connectivity. The small world analysis reveals that ASPD patients have increased path length and decreased network efficiency, which implies a reduced ability of global integration of whole brain functions. Modularity analysis suggests ASPD patients have decreased overall modularity, merged network modules, and reduced intra and inter module connectivities related to frontal regions. Also, network based statistics show that an internal sub network, composed of 16 nodes and 16 edges, is significantly affected in ASPD patients, where brain regions are mostly located in the fronto parietal control network. These results suggest that ASPD is associated with both reduced brain integration and segregation in topological organization of functional brain networks, particularly in the fronto parietal control network. These disruptions may contribute to disturbances in behavior and cognition in patients with ASPD. Our findings may provide insights into a deeper understanding of functional brain networks of ASPD.
Brain Imaging and Behavior