Neurophysiological Correlate of Conduct Disorder: A Rationale and a Review of Research

Abstract

Described a rationale for studies of the neurophysiological correlates of conduct disorder (CD) and provided a review and critique of the existing evidence. Studies of the neurophysiological correlates of CD are a rich source of hypotheses concerning the origins and maintenance of antisocial behavior, regardless of how much etiologic variance is accounted for by biological and socioenvironmental factors. Although the existing literature is not strong methodologically, there is growing evidence that abnormally severe and persistent physical aggression in youths may be linked to abnormal serotonin activity, to several indices of sympathetic and neurohormonal activity, and to some features of event-related electroencephalographic potentials.