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Psychopathy and Resting State EEG Theta/Beta Oscillations in Adolescent Offenders

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to test neural functioning of 40 adolescent offenders with varying degrees of psychopathic traits using EEG spectra analysis. Theta/beta ratio was examined in an 8-min resting state task during which participants had their eyes-open (4 min) and eyes-closed (4 min). It was hypothesized that if components of psychopathy may be similar to ADHD that (1) total psychopathy scores and daring-impulsive (DI) subscale scores would be positively correlated with theta/beta ratio and that (2) grandiose-manipulative (GM) and callous-unemotional (CU) subscale scores would be negligibly correlated with theta/beta ratio. Findings showed that those with elevated psychopathic traits did not differ from those with low levels of psychopathic traits in terms of their neuronal functioning at least based on theta and beta wave readings during a common EEG resting state task. These findings show a point of departure from research in ADHD literature. Rather, findings may indicate individuals higher in psychopathic traits show similar levels of regulatory behavior as non-psychopathic individuals, at least as indexed by theta and beta waves. However, component level analyses showed that the psychopathy factors showed different theta beta patterns when using sLORETA. The sLORETA findings indicate that those with elevated GM traits are better able to cognitively rest (idle) when requested, whereas those youth with elevated CU and DI traits may show more excessive activity when requested to rest. These findings indicate potentially different brain regions being operative at rest based on component elevations.

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Funding

This study did receive grant funding from the Department of Youth Services (DYS). Awarded to the third author.

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  1. Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Box 870348, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA

    Abby P. Clark, Andrew P. Bontemps & Randall T. Salekin

  2. Department of Educational Studies in Psychology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA

    Rick A. Houser

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  1. Abby P. Clark
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Correspondence to Randall T. Salekin.

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Clark, A.P., Bontemps, A.P., Houser, R.A. et al. Psychopathy and Resting State EEG Theta/Beta Oscillations in Adolescent Offenders. J Psychopathol Behav Assess 44, 64–80 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-021-09915-x

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