Abstract
Background
Studies of white matter connectivity in children with disruptive behavior have yielded
inconsistent results, possibly owing to the trait’s heterogeneity, which comprises
diverse symptoms like physical aggression, irritability, and delinquency. This study
examined associations of global and specific white matter connectivity with childhood
disruptive behavior problems, while accounting for their complex multidimensionality.
Methods
In a large cross-sectional population-based study of 10-year-old preadolescents (n = 2567), we assessed four previously described empirically derived dimensions of
disruptive behavior problems using the Child Behavior Checklist: physical aggression,
irritability, disobedient behavior, and delinquent behavior. Global and specific white
matter microstructure was assessed by diffusion tensor imaging.
Results
Global fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity were not associated with broad measures
of disruptive behavior, e.g., Child Behavior Checklist externalizing problems scale.
Global fractional anisotropy was negatively associated with delinquent behavior (β = −.123,
pfalse discovery rate adjusted = .028) and global mean diffusivity was positively associated with delinquent behavior
(β = .205, pfalse discovery rate adjusted < 0.001), suggesting reduced white matter microstructure in preadolescents with higher
levels of delinquent behavior. Lower white matter microstructure in the inferior longitudinal
fasciculus, superior longitudinal fasciculus, cingulum, and uncinate underlie these
associations. Global white matter microstructure was not associated with physical
aggression, irritability, or disobedient behavior.
Conclusions
Delinquent behavior, a severe manifestation of childhood disruptive behavior, was
associated with lower white matter microstructure in tracts connecting frontal and
temporal lobes. These brain regions are involved in decision making, reward processing,
and emotion regulation. This study demonstrated that incorporating the multidimensional
nature of childhood disruptive behavior traits shows promise in advancing the search
for elucidating neurobiological correlates of disruptive behavior.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 15, 2018
Accepted:
July 5,
2018
Received in revised form:
July 4,
2018
Received:
February 25,
2018
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc on behalf of Society of Biological Psychiatry.
