Violent offenders respond to provocations with high amygdala and striatal reactivity.
The ability to successfully suppress impulses and angry affect is fundamental to control aggressive reactions following provocations. The aim of this study was to examine neural responses to provocations and aggression using a laboratory model of reactive aggression. We used a novel functional magnetic resonance imaging point-subtraction aggression paradigm in 44 men, of whom 18 were incarcerated violent offenders and 26 were control non-offenders. We measured brain activation following provocations (monetary subtractions), while the subjects had the possibility to behave aggressively or pursue monetary rewards. The violent offenders behaved more aggressively than controls (aggression frequency 150 vs 84, P = 0.03) and showed significantly higher brain reactivity to provocations within the amygdala and striatum, as well as reduced amygdala-prefrontal and striato-prefrontal connectivity. Amygdala reactivity to provocations was positively correlated with task-related behavior in the violent offenders. Across groups, striatal and prefrontal reactivity to provocations was positively associated with trait anger and trait aggression. These results suggest that violent individuals display abnormally high neural sensitivity to social provocations, a sensitivity related to aggressive behavior. These findings provide novel insight into the neural pathways that are sensitive to provocations, which is critical to more effectively shaped interventions that aim to reduce pathological aggressive behavior.
Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.|Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Sofi
S
da Cunha-Bang
Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Patrick M
PM
Fisher
Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.|Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Liv Vadskjær
LV
Hjordt
Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.|Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Erik
E
Perfalk
Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Anine
A
Persson Skibsted
The Danish Prison and Probation Service, Herstedvester Prison, Holsbjergvej 20, DK-2620 Albertslund, Denmark.
Camilla
C
Bock
Research Center for Advanced Imaging, Department of Radiology Zealand University Hospital, Lykkebækvej 1, DK-4600 Køge, Denmark.
Anders
A
Ohlhues Baandrup
Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Marie
M
Deen
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.|Department of Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Carsten
C
Thomsen
Minstry of Justice, Clinic of Forensic Psychiatry, Blegdamsvej 6B, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Dorte M
DM
Sestoft
Neurobiology Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.|Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Gitte M
GM
Knudsen
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology*; D000786:Anger; D001931:Brain Mapping; D057237:Criminals / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D017072:Neostriatum / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D010556:Personality Tests; D012094:Repression, Psychology; D012201:Reward; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
PSAP; aggression; connectivity; fMRI; point subtraction aggression paradigm; psychopathy