Cognition and psychopathy in incarcerated sexual offenders / Cognição e psicopatia em autores de violência sexual encarcerados

Objective: The objective was to investigate if perpetrators of sexual offenses against children and adolescents with and without psychopathy differ regarding cognitive aspects. Method: A total of 30 male inmates participated in the study, divided into two groups: one that included psychopaths and the other with non-psychopaths. The instruments used were: protocol for collecting information on criminal court records; Rorschach test according to the Performance Assessment System, considering the cognitive variables and the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised Scale. Results: The results indicate that psychopaths exhibit greater impairment in the organization of thoughts, as well as greater vulnerability to the general personality disruption. The best regression model showed that 55% of psychopathy can be explained by a greater propensity to a general personality disorder (EII-3 β: 4.77; p-value < 0.001), associated with the predisposition to be arrested at a young age (β: -0.26; p-value = 0.004). Conclusion: The efficiency of the R-PAS is observed in the identification of cognitive failures in psychopath perpetrators of sexual violence and perpetrators of sexual violence, and its usefulness is enhanced, when associated with other behavioral measures in the identification of this type of personality profile.

Objetivo: O objetivo foi investigar se autores de violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes, com e sem psicopatia, se diferenciam em relação aos aspectos cognitivos. Método: Participaram do estudo 30 reeducandos cumprindo pena em regime fechado, divididos em dois grupos: um composto pelos psicopatas e outro pelos não psicopatas. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: protocolo de coleta de informações no processo criminal; teste de Rorschach, de acordo com o Sistema de Avaliação por Performance, considerando as variáveis cognitivas, e; a escala Psychopathy Checklist-Revised. Resultados: Os resultados indicaram que o grupo de psicopatas apresentou maiores prejuízos na organização do pensamento, bem como maior vulnerabilidade à desorganização geral da personalidade. O melhor modelo de regressão identificou que 55% da psicopatia pode ser explicada por uma maior propensão ao desajuste geral da personalidade (EII-3 β: 4.77; p-value < 0.001), associada à predisposição a ser preso ainda jovem (β: -0.26; p-value = 0.004). Conclusão: A eficiência do R-PAS é observada na identificação de falhas cognitivas em psicopatas autores de violência sexual e autores de violência sexual, e sua utilidade é potencializada, quando associada a outras medidas comportamentais na identificação desse tipo de perfil de personalidade.

King George III of England and Queen Maria I of Portugal: bipolar disorder and prince regents as common features of their reigns

Abstract Humanity is sporadically subjected to leaders with deviant behavior, ego problems, or psychiatric disorders, potentially leading to social instability. Bipolar disorder is not common in all populations, but, coincidentally, studies suggest that it affected two sovereigns that were contemporaries, King George III of England, who died 201 years ago, and Queen Maria I of Portugal, who died 205 years ago. They lived during a time when Europe was in turmoil with the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars, which also coincided with the rise of psychiatry. Both monarchs were forced to have prince regents rule in their place, due to their emotional decline, and they shared the same medical consultant, Francis Willis.

An Epidemiologic Survey and Violent Behavior Analysis of Antisocial Personality Disorder in Young Men in Chengdu / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) in young men in Chengdu and explore the characteristics and risks of violence.@*METHODS@#Stratified random sampling was used to conduct a self-assessment questionnaire survey in 4 108 males aged from 18 to 34 in Chengdu, including general demographic characteristics, structured clinical interview for the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-Ⅳ axis Ⅱ disorders (SCID-Ⅱ) personality disorder screen questionnaire, violence questionnaire, psychosis screening questionnaire (PSQ), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and drug use. χ2 test, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for analysis and odds ratio (OR) was calculated.@*RESULTS@#The positive rate of ASPD was 5.91%, which was associated with young age, unmarried, unemployment state, low educational level, violent behavior, psychotic symptoms, alcohol and drug use (P<0.05). Young men with ASPD also had a risk (P<0.05) of violence (OR was 8.51), multiple violence (OR was 16.57), injury (OR was 6.68), intentional violence (OR was 11.41), etc., the risk decreased after controlling for psychotic symptoms and substance abuse, but was still statistically significant.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The risk of violence, severe violence and intentional violence in young men in Chengdu is high, and psychotic symptoms and substance abuse increase the risk of ASPD violence and relate characteristics.

Antisocial and borderline Personality disorder, violent behavior and covid-19

The combination of severe personality disorders and violence poses a challenge for mental health services, including forensic services and community mental health services. In the context of COVID-19 pandemic, after observing the alarming number of cases of coronavirus and deaths in Brazil, we aimed to discuss the potential increase in hostile behavior, violence and crime in individuals with personality disorders. A literature review was conducted on antisocial and borderline personality disorders and the possible implications on violent behavior of these personality disorders, during the Covid-19 pandemic. We reviewed Medline database articles on these topics between the years 2000 and 2020. During the pandemic it is important that these services be attentive and prepared for new demands and worsening of previously stabilized individuals of borderline personality disorder and antissocial personality disorder.(AU)

A combinação de transtornos de personalidade grave e violência representa um desafio para os serviços de saúde mental, incluindo os serviços forenses e os serviços comunitários de saúde mental. No contexto da pandemia do COVID-19, após observar o número alarmante de casos de coronavírus e mortes no Brasil, objetivamos discutir o potencial aumento do comportamento hostil, da violência e da criminalidade em indivíduos com transtornos de personalidade. Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura sobre os transtornos borderline e antisocial e as possíveis implicações no comportamento violento desses transtornos de personalidade durante a pandemia do Covid-19. Revisamos artigos da base de dados Medline sobre esses temas, entre os anos 2000 e 2020. Durante a pandemia é importante que esses serviços fiquem atentos e estejam preparados para novas demandas e agravamento de indivíduos previamente estabilizados de transtorno borderline de personalidade e transtorno de personalidade antissocial.(AU)

La combinación de trastornos graves de personalidad y violencia plantea un desafío para los servicios de salud mental, incluidos los servicios forenses y los servicios comunitarios de salud mental. En el contexto de la pandemia COVID-19, después de observar el alarmante número de casos y muertes de coronavirus en Brasil, nos propusimos discutir el posible aumento de la conducta hostil, la violencia y la delincuencia en individuos con trastornos de personalidad. Se realizó una revisión de la literatura sobre trastornos limítrofes y antisociales y las posibles implicaciones en el comportamiento violento de estos trastornos de la personalidad durante la pandemia de Covid-19. Se revisaron artículos de la base de datos Medline sobre estos temas entre los años 2000 y 2020. Durante la pandemia es importante que estos servicios estén atentos y preparados para nuevas demandas y el empeoramiento de individuos previamente estabilizados de trastorno límite de la personalidad y trastorno antisocial de la personalidad.(AU)

What are the factors that contribute to aggression in patients with co-occurring antisocial personality disorder and substance abuse?

Abstract Background A significant number of individuals with high levels of aggression have substance use disorder problems. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of substance use disorder on aggression in young men with Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Methods This cross-sectional study included 328 patients and were diagnosed with ASPD with a comorbidity of substance use disorder, along with 111 healthy young male subjects. Results The total aggression scores of the patients with a diagnosis of ASPD were significantly higher than those of the healthy group (p < 0.001). Mean scores of aggression subscale, except for indirect aggression, were higher in patients diagnosed with ASPD (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between aggression scores and total API scores in patients diagnosed with ASPD (p < 0.001). Aggression scores were higher when subjects were using volatile substances compared to other substances (p < 0.05). Aggression scores increased with duration of substance use disorder (p < 0.001). Discussion Substance use disorder should be treated first to mitigate aggression in individuals with ASPD. Patients with severe addiction to volatile substances should be given treatment priority. Further studies are necessary to determine the cause of aggression in individuals who abuse substances.

Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version psychometric properties in an Item Response Theory polytomous model / Propriedades psicométricas da Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version em um modelo politômico da Teoria da Resposta ao Item

This study assessed the applicability of the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version in a sample of teenagers confined in socio-educational institutions. Using an Item Response Theory approach, item properties of this instrument were reviewed using the generalized partial credit model. Eight of the original twenty items of the original instrument were discarded due to low discrimination parameters. As expected, the most discriminating items in the assessment of psychiatric traits were those which affective characteristics are more typical in the description of psychopathic traits, and their larger variability among juveniles is reflected in the checklist's answers. Item anchoring, in turn, determined five anchor levels. Conclusions based on the results are twofold: (a) a shorter version of this measure can offer the same level of information obtained from the full instrument and (b) the measure provides more information on average latent trait levels and is inadequate for clinical use.

Este estudo investigou a aplicabilidade da Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version em uma amostra de adolescentes em cumprimento de medidas socioeducativas. Com base na Teoria de Resposta ao Item, as propriedades dos itens desse instrumento foram analisadas por meio do Modelo de Crédito Parcial Generalizado. Oito dos vinte itens do instrumento original foram eliminados devido a baixos parâmetros de discriminação. Conforme esperado, os itens mais discriminantes na avaliação psiquiátrica foram aqueles de características afetivas típicas de traços de psicopatia, assim como sua maior variação reflete-se nas respostas a tais itens. A ancoragem de itens, por sua vez, permitiu a definição de cinco níveis âncora. Os resultados sugerem duas conclusões: (a) uma versão mais curta do instrumento pode oferecer níveis de informação similares aos do teste completo e (b) o instrumento é mais informativo em níveis médios de traço latente, sendo inadequado para uso clínico.

Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version psychometric properties in an Item Response Theory polytomous model / Propriedades psicométricas da Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version em um modelo politômico da Teoria da Resposta ao Item

This study assessed the applicability of the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version in a sample of teenagers confined in socio-educational institutions. Using an Item Response Theory approach, item properties of this instrument were reviewed using the generalized partial credit model. Eight of the original twenty items of the original instrument were discarded due to low discrimination parameters. As expected, the most discriminating items in the assessment of psychiatric traits were those which affective characteristics are more typical in the description of psychopathic traits, and their larger variability among juveniles is reflected in the checklist's answers. Item anchoring, in turn, determined five anchor levels. Conclusions based on the results are twofold: (a) a shorter version of this measure can offer the same level of information obtained from the full instrument and (b) the measure provides more information on average latent trait levels and is inadequate for clinical use.

Este estudo investigou a aplicabilidade da Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version em uma amostra de adolescentes em cumprimento de medidas socioeducativas. Com base na Teoria de Resposta ao Item, as propriedades dos itens desse instrumento foram analisadas por meio do Modelo de Crédito Parcial Generalizado. Oito dos vinte itens do instrumento original foram eliminados devido a baixos parâmetros de discriminação. Conforme esperado, os itens mais discriminantes na avaliação psiquiátrica foram aqueles de características afetivas típicas de traços de psicopatia, assim como sua maior variação reflete-se nas respostas a tais itens. A ancoragem de itens, por sua vez, permitiu a definição de cinco níveis âncora. Os resultados sugerem duas conclusões: (a) uma versão mais curta do instrumento pode oferecer níveis de informação similares aos do teste completo e (b) o instrumento é mais informativo em níveis médios de traço latente, sendo inadequado para uso clínico.

Paciente con lesión medular y trastorno disocial de la personalidad / A patient with medullar lesion and dissocial personality disorder

La lesión medular es una discapacidad mayor, severa y devastadora que altera toda la estructura de personalidad del que la padece, con mayor impacto si se instala en otros cuadros clínicos de base. En este reporte, se presenta el caso de un paciente hospitalizado, con lesión medular traumática y trastorno disocial de la personalidad. Se evalúa el nivel intelectual y patrones clínicos de personalidad, a fin de contribuir a una mejor comprensión y manejo en el proceso de rehabilitación integral de estos pacientes.

Medullar lesion is a major, severe, incapacitating and devastating condition that affects all personality structure. We present here the case of an admitted patient with a traumatic medullary lesion and dissocial personality disorder. The intellectual level and clinical patterns of personality were evaluated to contribute to a better understanding of the rehabilitation process

The antisocial personality disorder in the Brazilian movies / O transtorno da personalidade antissocial no cinema brasileiro

ABSTRACT Objective: The antisocial personality disorder (APD) is one theme of interest for psychiatry/mental health students and professionals. The access to psychopathology aspects by means of movies is able to improve the understanding about these disorders. This study aimed at evaluates the frequency of APD and of its diagnostic criteria in the Brazilian cinema for teaching purposes. Methods: The method consisted of survey sampling (for convenience, once the study is extracted from another greater project); use of a diagnostic instrument and analysis of the results. Results: 44.73% of the personalities were diagnosed with APD. All the diagnostic criteria for APD were present. The most frequent criterion was the practice of illegal acts. Impulsivity was associated with aggressiveness in 29.4% of the cases and with the use of psychoactive substances in almost 30% of the cases. 35.3% of the characters had a premature and violent death. Conclusion: The research enabled the identification of APD diagnostic criteria in the Brazilian cinema. Many scenes were able to represent the diagnosis clearly. The data proved to be sufficient in indicate the potentiality of the material as a didactic and pedagogical foundation.

RESUMO Objetivo: O transtorno de personalidade antissocial (TPA) é um tema de interesse para alunos e profissionais da psiquiatria/saúde mental. O acesso aos aspectos psicopatológicos por meio de filmes é capaz de melhorar a compreensão acerca dos transtornos. Este estudo buscou avaliar a frequência do TPA e de seus critérios diagnósticos no cinema brasileiro, para o ensino. Métodos: O método consistiu em levantamento da amostra (por conveniência, dado que o estudo é recorte de outro projeto maior); aplicação de instrumento e análise dos resultados. Resultados: Entre os personagens, 44,73% foram diagnosticados com TPA. Todos os critérios diagnósticos para TPA se fizeram presentes. O critério mais frequente foi a prática de atos ilegais. A impulsividade esteve associada à agressividade em 29,4% dos casos e ao uso de substâncias psicoativas em quase 30% dos casos. Entre os personagens, 35,3% sofreram morte prematura e violenta. Conclusão: A pesquisa possibilitou identificar as características do TPA no cinema nacional. As trajetórias dos personagens contaram com trechos de realismo variável, mas muitas cenas foram capazes de representar o diagnóstico com clareza. Os dados se mostraram suficientes para indicar a potencialidade do material como base didático-pedagógica.

Conducta y personalidad disociales en estudiantes de medicina: implicancias para la educación médica peruana / Dyssocial behavior and personality in medical students: implications for Peruvian medical education

Investigaciones previas sobre conducta suicida realizadas en estudiantes de medicina hallaron, como variable asociada, una alta prevalencia de vida (PV) de indicadores de conducta disocial. Tal resultado obliga a sospechar presencia de personalidad de este tipo en dicha población. Con el objetivo de aportar nuevos elementos que complementen los estudios previos, el presente artículo analiza el concepto de personalidad disocial y discute los resultados de un estudio piloto que evaluó su presencia en una muestra de alumnos recién ingresados a la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Se encontró que de 175 estudiantes, 33 resultaron positivos a indicadores de conducta disocial (19% de PV) durante una primera evaluación; de este grupo, 30 se presentaron a una segunda evaluación diagnóstica, de los cuales cinco superaron el punto de corte para personalidad disocial, y 11 obtuvieron puntaje de sospecha de tal desarrollo. Sobre estos resultados sugerimos que la universidad debiera aceptar la responsabilidad de continuar investigando esta área, crear intervenciones preventivo-terapéuticas tempranas e innovaciones curriculares para reducir el riesgo de producir profesionales tecnicamente bien entrenados pero con minusvalías morales.

Previous studies on medical students´suicidal behavior found, as an associated variable, a high life-prevalence (LP) of dissocial behavior indicators. Such findings compel to suspect the presence of dissocial personality in that population. On the purpose to add knowledge to this problem, the present paper analyses the concept of dissocial personality and discusses the results of a pilot-study that evaluated its presence in recently admitted students to San Marcos University´s School of Medicine. In the first evaluation, it was found that 33 out of 175 students resulted positive to dissocial behavior indicators (LP: 19%). From this group, 30 showed up for a second diagnostic evaluation; 5 exceeded the cut-off point to dissocial personality and 11 showed scores very close to it, raising suspiciousness of such development. Upon these results we claim the university must accept the responsibility to continue researching this area, create early preventive-therapeutic interventions and curricula innovations to reduce the risk of generating well trained professionals but morally handicapped.

Cambios en el EEG en reposo de exparticipantes en el conflicto armado colombiano con trastorno de personalidad antisocial / Changes in Resting EEG in Colombian Ex-combatants ith Antisocial Personality Disorder

RESUMEN Introducción: El conflicto armado colombiano, además de secuelas sociales y económicas en la población civil, ha implicado otras consecuencias. Los excombatientes, como la otra cara del conflicto, han sido objeto de interrogación sobre su estructura de personalidad y predisposición a conductas violentas. Se ha encontrado en parte de la población asociada al conflicto armado rasgos característicos del trastorno de personalidad antisocial (TPA) que se relacionarían con los comportamientos en contra de las convenciones sociales. Métodos: Mediante registros electrocardiográficos cuantitativos (qEEG), se evaluaron las diferencias en los patrones de actividad cortical entre un grupo de excombatientes, algunos de ellos con diagnóstico de TPA, y un grupo de control ajeno al conflicto armado y sin alteraciones psiquiátricas. Se empleó la Lista de Chequeo de Psicopatía Revisada (PCL-R) para determinar la presencia de criterios diagnósticos de TPA, así como la entrevista diagnóstica para estudios genéticos (DIGS) para clasificar la presencia de otros trastornos mentales incluidos en el CIE-10. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas en los niveles de psicopatía evaluados mediante la PCL-R. Con respecto al análisis de la potencia espectral, se observaron diferencias entre grupos en las ondas alfa-2 y beta, en regiones frontal y temporal izquierda y temporocentral izquierda respectivamente. Conclusiones: La técnica de qEEG permite evidenciarlas diferencias entre grupos en el potencial espectral en reposo, las cuales se relacionan con comportamientos desadaptativos característicos del TPA.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although the social and economic consequences of Colombian internal conflicts mainly affected the civilian population, they also had other implications. The ex-combatants, the other side of the conflict, have been the subject of many studies that question their personality structures and antisocial features. Results suggest that ex-combatants usually have characteristics of an antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) that is related with their behavior. Methods: Quantitative EEG (qEEG) was used to evaluate differences in cortical activity patterns between an ex-combatants group and a control group. The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) was used to assess the presence of ASPD in the ex-combatants group, as well as the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies (DIGS) for other mental disorders classified in the DCI-10. Results: There are significant differences in psychopathy levels between groups, as well as in alpha-2 and beta waves, especially in left temporal and frontal areas for alpha-2 waves and left temporal-central regions for beta waves. Conclusions: qEEG measurements allow spectral resting potential to be differentiated between groups that are related with features typically involved in antisocial personality disorder, and to correlate them with patterns in the questionnaires and clinical interview.

Psychometric properties of a scale to measure the dark side of personality / Propriedades psicométricas de uma escala para medir o lado escuro da personalidade

The psychometric characteristics of the Dark Triad Scale in an Argentinian context are presented. Two successive studies were carried out. Three hundred sixteen people, with an average age of 34.48 years (SD = 10.57), participated in Study 1. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a three-factor structure with suitable internal consistency (Machiavellianism: α = 0.92; narcissism: α = 0.91, and psychopathy: α = 0.89). Two hundred seventy-five people, with an average age of 32 years (SD = 8.10), participated in Study 2. A confirmatory factor analysis corroborated the three-factor structure. The three factors reached Satisfactory Composite Reliability (greater than 0.70) and adequate Convergent-Discriminant Validity (Average Variance Extrated greater than 0.50). The invariance of the scale's parameters was demonstrated by sex. The results indicate that the Argentinian version of the Dark Triad Scale measures the dark side of personality with appropriate validity and reliability, both in men and women.

Este estudo apresenta as características psicométricas da Dark Triad Scale para o contexto da Argentina. Dois estudos sucessivos foram realizados. Participaram do primeiro estudo trezentas e dezesseis pessoas, com uma idade média de 34,48 anos (DP = 10,57). A análise fatorial exploratória indicou uma estrutura de três fatores com adequada consistência interna (Maquiavelismo: α = 0,92; narcisismo: α = 0,91, e psicopatia: α = 0,89). Do segundo estudo participaram duzentas e setenta e cinco pessoas, com uma idade média de 32 anos (DP = 8,10). A análise fatorial confirmatória confirmou a adequação da estrutura trifatorial. Os três fatores resultantes apresentaram Confiabilidade Composta Satisfatória (maior que 0,70) e indicadores adequados de validade convergente-discriminante (AVE maior que 0,50). A invariância dos parâmetros da escala foi demonstrada por meio do sexo. Os resultados indicam que a versão argentina da Dark Triad Scale mede o lado escuro da personalidade com validade e confiabilidade adequadas, tanto em homens quanto em mulheres.

Una reflexión sobre la labor social en pacientes con trastorno antisocial de la personalidad / A Reflection on Social Work in Patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder / Uma reflexão sobre o trabalho social com pacientes vitimas do transtorno de personalidade anti-social

Introducción: El trastorno antisocial de la personalidad está vinculado a la clasificación de trastornos de la personalidad en la salud mental. Este diagnóstico se les otorga a personas que presenten rasgos de personalidad específicos e inflexibles que afectan su funcionalidad y en los que no se encuentra otra causa médica aparente. Existen diversos tratamientos posibles para estos pacientes y cuyo manejo debe ser individualizado según su edad y progresión de los rasgos de personalidad. Este trastorno genera un impacto adicional a la comunidad debido a su relación con conductas delictivas e inapropiadas de los pacientes con este diagnóstico, convirtiéndolo en un asunto de interés para la convivencia social. Objetivo: Reflexionar acerca del rol de la sociedad en la prevención, inclusión y manejo de pacientes con trastorno antisocial de la personalidad. Discusión: Conociendo las variables involucradas en el desarrollo de trastornos de personalidad como el antisocial, además del impacto social que genera la expresión de dichos síntomas en la comunidad, se hace necesario una intervención multidisciplinaria desde la sociedad y sectores públicos como salud y justicia a la hora de abordar estos pacientes, pues medidas como mejorar el ambiente que los rodea y el reconocimiento a temprana edad mejora los resultados en el tratamiento y podría disminuir la expresión de la misma, así como las consecuencias sociales producto de casos graves. Conclusiones: El trastorno antisocial de la personalidad es un diagnóstico psiquiátrico que involucra necesariamente al paciente y la comunidad. La concientización de esta patología en la sociedad podría dar herramientas para mejorar la prevención, diagnóstico y atención integral con resultados a nivel individual y social. [Herrera-Gómez AL. Una reflexión sobre la labor social en pacientes con trastorno antisocial de la personalidad. MedUNAB 2017-2018; 20(3): 368-373].

Introduction: The antisocial personality disorder is linked to the classification of personality disorders in mental health. This diagnosis is given to people who have specific and inflexible personality traits that affect their functionality and in which no other apparent medical cause is found. There are several possible treatments for these patients and their management must be individualized according to their age and the progression of their personality traits. This disorder generates an additional impact on the community due to its relationship with criminal and inappropriate behavior of patients with this diagnosis, making it a matter of interest for social coexistence. Objective:To reflect on the role of society in the prevention, inclusion and management of patients with antisocial personality disorder. Discussion: By knowing the variables involved in the development of personality disorders such as antisocial, besides the social impact generated by the expression of these symptoms in the community, it is necessary a multidisciplinary intervention from society and public sectors such as health and justice when dealing with these patients. Furthermore, if some measures are adopted such as improving the environment that surrounds patients and the recognition at an early age of this disorder, these measures could improve the results in the treatment and reduce the expression of itself, as well as the social consequences of serious cases of this disorder. Conclusions: The antisocial personality disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that involves the patient and community. The awareness of this pathology in society could provide tools to improve prevention, diagnosis and comprehensive care with individual and social results. [Herrera-Gómez AL. A Reflection on Social Work in Patients with Antisocial Personality Disorder. MedUNAB 2017-2018; 20(3): 368-373].

Introdução: O transtorno de personalidade anti-social está vinculado à classificação de transtornos de personalidade em saúde mental. Este diagnóstico é dado a pessoas que possuem traços de personalidade específicos e inflexíveis que afetam sua funcionalidade e que não apresentam outra causa médica. Existem vários tratamentos possíveis para esses pacientes e seu cuidado deve ser individualizado de acordo com sua idade e à progressão dos traços de sua personalidade. Esta doença gera um impacto adicional na comunidade devido à sua relação com os comportamentos criminosos e inadequados dos pacientes com esse diagnóstico, tornando-se uma questão importante para a convivência social. Objetivo: Refletir sobre o papel da sociedade na prevenção, inclusão e tratamento de pacientes com transtorno de personalidade anti-social. Discussão: Conhecer as variáveis implicadas no desenvolvimento dos distúrbios da personalidade, identificada como anti-social, além do impacto social gerado pela expressão desses sintomas na comunidade, é necessária uma intervenção multidisciplinaria que envolva tanto a sociedade como os setores públicos, isto é: a saúde e a justiça no momento de abordar esses pacientes. Já que as medidas para melhorar o ambiente que os rodeia e o diagnostico a temprana idade, melhora os resultados no tratamento e pode reduzir a expressão do mesmo, bem como as conseqüências sociais dos casos graves. Conclusões: O transtorno de personalidade antissocial é um diagnóstico psiquiátrico que envolve necessariamente o paciente e a comunidade. A consciência desta patologia na sociedade poderia fornecer ferramentas para melhorar a prevenção, o diagnóstico e o atendimento integral, obtendo melhores resultados individuais e sociais. [Herrera-Gómez AL. Uma reflexão sobre o trabalho social com pacientes vitimas do transtorno de personalidade anti-social. MedUNAB 2017-2018; 20(3): 368-373].

Monoamine Oxidase-A Genetic Variants and Childhood Abuse Predict Impulsiveness in Borderline Personality Disorder

OBJECTIVE: Impulsivity is a core feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) that likely arises from combined genetic and environmental influences. The interaction of the low activity variant of the monoamine oxidase-A (MAOA-L) gene and early childhood adversity has been shown to predict aggression in clinical and non-clinical populations. Although impulsivity is a risk factor for aggression in BPD and ASPD, little research has investigated potential gene-environment (G×E) influences impacting its expression in these conditions. Moreover, G×E interactions may differ by diagnosis. METHODS: Full factorial analysis of variance was employed to investigate the influence of monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) genotype, childhood abuse, and diagnosis on Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 (BIS-11) scores in 61 individuals: 20 subjects with BPD, 18 subjects with ASPD, and 23 healthy controls. RESULTS: A group×genotype×abuse interaction was present (F(2,49)=4.4, p=0.018), such that the interaction of MAOA-L and childhood abuse predicted greater BIS-11 motor impulsiveness in BPD. Additionally, BPD subjects reported higher BIS-11 attentional impulsiveness versus ASPD participants (t(1,36)=2.3, p=0.025). CONCLUSION: These preliminary results suggest that MAOA-L may modulate the impact of childhood abuse on impulsivity in BPD. Results additionally indicate that impulsiveness may be expressed differently in BPD and ASPD.

Amygdala pharmacology and crime behavior, dysfunctions to be considered as a disease?

We don’t have today drugs specifically registered for amygdala dysfunctions as preventable agents towards some kind of crime behavior. This Neuro psychiatric condition or organ state are to be considered and treated in preventive way as common disease. There is an amygdala physio-pathological Level of activation.  Still we are not sure to call this dysfunctions status as disease and drugs are needed or efficacy to control it. A neuro-pharmacology research of amygdala can give the response also using imaging Techniques. Studies demonstrated that Amygdala activation is involved in aggressive behavior. The aim of this work is to investigate in this relationship and to find if there is a level of activation.

An ERP study on response inhibition in high-risk antisocial personality / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the time course of response inhibition function in juvenile delin-quents with antisocial personality characteristics.Methods The healthy control group ( n=21),juvenile delinquents with antisocial personality characteristics ( CD +AP ) ( n=18) and juvenile delinquents ( CD) ( n=18) were selected in current study by recording the event-related potentials in a Go/Nogo task.N2 and P3 components of event-related potentials were analyzed.Results Behavioral results showed that Nogo cor-rection rate of control group ((93.13±2.71)%) were significantly higher than CD group ((87.51±2.82)%, P<0.01) and CD +AP group((85.63±2.45)%, P<0.01).In CD+AP group,the amplitude of the N2nogo ( (-1.82±1.64)μV) was significantly lower than control group ( (-6.36±2.93)μV, P<0.01) ,and the am-plitude of the P3nogo ((5.52±2.79)μV) was significantly decreased than healthy control ((11.26±4.92)μV, P<0.01).In CD group,the amplitude of P3nogo ((5.20±3.17)μV) was significantly reduced than healthy control ((11.26±4.92)μV, P<0.01).Conclusion N2nogo and N2d are associated with the early phases of response inhibition and reflected response conflict.P3nogo and P3d are associated with the late phases of response inhibition and monitored inhibitory control.These data suggest that CD+AP participants exhibited im-paired response conflict and inhibitory control.This may be associated with persistent antisocial behavior.

Comportamento social e volume de substância branca cerebral em adolescentes vítimas de maus tratos / Social behavior and cerebral white matter volume in maltreated adolescents

A vivência de maus tratos na infância é apontada como um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de comportamentos antissociais e traços psicopáticos. Estudos sugerem alterações estruturais de substância branca (SB) cerebral em vítimas de maus tratos, que podem estar subjacentes a sintomas psiquiátricos e dificuldades cognitivas. OBJETIVO: Investigar o comportamento social de adolescentes vítimas de maus tratos (A-VMT), através da comparação de suas habilidades sociais e traços de psicopatia com um grupo controle (GC), e de possíveis correlações destas medidas com os diferentes tipos de maus tratos e com o volume de SB cerebral. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 67 A-VMT e 41 adolescentes do GC através do Questionário de Traumas na Infância (QUESI), da Psychopathy Checklist Youth Version (PCL-YV) e do Inventário de Habilidades Sociais para Adolescentes (IHSA). Também foram adquiridas imagens anatômicas cerebrais através de equipamento de ressonância magnética (1,5T Siemens Sonata) e realizadas análises de morfometria baseada em voxels (VBM). RESULTADOS: Os A-VMT apresentaram maior intensidade de traços psicopáticos e mais déficits de habilidades sociais que o GC. A negligência emocional foi a forma de maus tratos que mais influenciou a presença de traços de psicopatia e que mais associou-se a prejuízos de habilidades sociais específicas. O volume de SB de regiões do hemisfério esquerdo (giro angular, precuneus e lobo parietal inferior) correlacionouse negativamente com o fator afetivo da PCL:YV. Além disso, foram encontradas correlações positivas entre o volume de SB de regiões de hemisfério direito com fatores de psicopatia: o volume do lobo parietal superior direito correlacionou-se com características interpessoais e o do giro pré-central com o fator antissocial. CONCLUSÃO: Os A-VMT apresentaram déficits do comportamento social quando comparados ao GC. O volume de SB de áreas cerebrais envolvidas no processamento de informações sociais...

Child maltreatment is considered a risk factor for the development of antisocial behaviors and psychopathic traits. Studies suggest that specific white matter tracts may be vulnerable to child maltreatment and their alterations can be associated with psychiatric symptoms and cognitive deficits. Aim: Compare social skills and psychopathic traits between maltreated adolescents (MTA) and a control group, as well as their possible correlations with different types of maltreatment and white matter volumes.. Method: The sample was composed by 67 MTA and 41 youths from the CG. Brain images were acquired by magnetic resonance imaging equipment (1,5T Siemens Sonata) for voxel-based morphometry analyses. The clinical evaluation was carried out using Childhood Trauma Inventory (CTQ), Social Skills Inventory for Adolescents (SSIA) and The Hare Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV). Results: MTA presented more psychopathic traits and social skills deficits than the CG. Emotional neglect was the only maltreatment subtype with significant effect on psychopathic traits, and it was correlated with specific social skills deficits. The white matter volumes of left hemisphere regions (angular gyrus, precuneus and inferior parietal lobe) were negatively correlated with PCL:YV affective factor scores. Moreover, positive correlations between white matter volume of right hemisphere areas (superior parietal lobe and precentral gyrus) and specific psychopathic traits (antisocial and interpersonal) were found. Conclusion: MTA presented social deficits when compared to CG. The white matter volume of brain areas associated with social information processing and emotion recognition was correlated with specific psychopathic traits. Child maltreatment may contribute to social cognition deficits and predispose this vulnerable population to psychopathic traits...

Needle-sharing behavior among intravenous heroin users:prevalence and risk factors / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of needle-sharing behavior among intravenous drug users (IDUs).Methods Data regarding socio-demographics,drug abuse characteristics and HIV related health literacy of 474 heroin IDUs were collected.Antisocial personality disorder of IDUs was diagnosed through Mini international neuropsychiatric interview.Results The prevalence of needle sharing among IDUs was 53.8％.Needle-sharing behavior of IDUs was significantly associated with male gender,marital status of being single and separated/divorced,local dwelling,an early age of first drug abuse and antisocial personality disorder (OR =1.11 ～ 6.69,P＜0.05).Conclusion Heroin IDUs have high prevalence of needle sharing.A comprehensive social,behavior and psychology based intervention is needed to effectively prevent HIV infection in IDUs.

La psicopatía: una revisión bibliográfica y bibliométrica / A psicopatia: uma revisão bibliográfica e bibliométrica / Psychopathy: a bibliographic and bibliometric review

La psicopatía es un trastorno de personalidad caracterizado tanto por la falta de afecto, remordimientos y empatía como por seducción, manipulación y utilización del otro. Nuestro objetivo es realizar una revisión bibliométrica sobre los artículos de revistas científicas recogidos en la plataforma de datos PsycINFO, hasta febrero del 2013, en base a los descriptores "Psychopathy" y "Antisocial Personality Disorder". Los resultados ofrecen información sobre: la evolución y tratamiento de ambos términos, la productividad anual, lugar de publicación, revistas científicas, autores más prolíficos, conceptos clave más utilizados, así como se concretizan los esfuerzos en muestras penitenciarias, mediante la realización de un análisis del contenido de los principales autores y la intervención en la psicopatía, lo que nos permite observar la necesidad de aumentar los criterios de diagnóstico de la psicopatía, aludiendo a la perspectiva de género, al contexto social, y a las características de personalidad.

A psicopatía é um transtorno de personalidade caracterizado tanto por falta de afeto, remorsos e empatía como sedução, manipulação e uso do outro. Nosso objetivo é realizar uma revisão bibliométrica de artigos em revistas científicas recolhidas no banco de dados PsycINFO até fevereiro de 2013, a partir dos descritores "Psicopatia" e "Transtorno da Personalidade Anti-Social". Os resultados fornecem informações sobre: o desenvolvimento e tratamento de ambos os termos, a produtividade anual, local de publicação, revistas científicas, autores mais produtivos, conceitos-chave mais utilizados, assim como os esforços em amostras penitenciárias realizando uma análise de conteúdo dos principais autores e a intervenção em psicopatia, permitindo mostrar a necessidade de incrementar os critérios de diagnóstico de psicopatia, em referência ao gênero, ao contexto social e à caracteristicas de personalidade.

Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized both by a lack of affection, remorse and empathy, as by the ability to seduce, manipulate and use other people. Our goal is to perform a bibliometric review of articles published in scientific journals listed in the PsycINFO database by February 2013, using the keywords "Psychopathy" and "Antisocial Personality Disorder". The results provide information on the evolution and treatment of both terms; annual productivity; place of publication; recurrent scientific journals; most prolific authors; most popular keywords; as well as efforts undertaken in prison samples. Content analysis of the main authors show the need to increase diagnostic criteria for psychopathy according to gender, social context and personality traits.

Psychopathic traits in young offenders vs. non-offenders in similar socioeconomic condition

Objective: To analyze the differences in psychopathic traits between offender and non-offender youths with similar socioeconomic backgrounds. Method: The Psychopathy Checklist Revised (PCL-R) scale was used to identify whether 39 young offenders with no history of mental disorders or criteria for psychopathy exhibited differences in its total score, and specifically for factor 1 or factor 2 of this scale, when compared with 32 other young people, living in similar socioeconomic conditions, who had not committed offenses. Results: We observed statistically significant between-group differences (p < 0.01) in mean PCL-R scores, with a mean score of 13.4 in the offender group vs. 2.1 in the non-offender group. We also detected significant between-group differences when we analyzed mean factor 1 (p < 0.01) and factor 2 (p < 0.01) scores separately. Although the groups exhibited statistically significant difference in educational attainment, between-group comparison of mean PCL-R scores controlling for educational attainment by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that the difference in PCL-R scores remained statistically significant (p < 0.01). Conclusions: We conclude that, in this sample, the presence of both primary (interpersonal/affective characteristics) and secondary (lifestyle/antisocial behavior) psychopathic traits differed between offender and non-offender youths, even when excluding psychopathy and other mental disorders from the assessments. These results suggest a need for wide-ranging interventions, not restricted to socioeconomic aspects, for the management of juvenile delinquency. .