Investigating sex differences in structural and functional neuroimaging correlates of empathy in conduct disorder

Clanton, Roberta Lee (2018). Investigating sex differences in structural and functional neuroimaging correlates of empathy in conduct disorder. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Conduct Disorder (CD) is a childhood psychiatric disorder characterised by antisocial and aggressive behaviours. The overarching aim of this thesis was to investigate potential sex differences in the structural and functional neuroimaging correlates of empathy in CD. Studies in chapters 5 and 6 showed that youths with CD had decreased structural covariance between the anterior insula (AI) and thalamus compared to TD (typically developing) youths, but the groups did not differ in grey matter volume and no interactions with sex were observed. Studies in chapters 7 and 8 revealed that youths with CD exhibited reduced brain response in the AI and cerebellum when viewing others in pain. A sex-by-group interaction was also observed in the amygdala whereby females with CD had reduced brain response compared to TD females, with no differences between males with CD and TD males. Youths with CD exhibited decreased functional connectivity between the AI and the occipital lobe, but increased connectivity between the cerebellum and amygdala compared to TD youths. These findings suggest that structural and functional abnormalities in the AI are key features of both males and females with CD, while only females exhibit functional abnormalities in the amygdala when processing pain in others.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):