Neurobiological factors in aggressive and antisocial juveniles

Background

Juveniles who display antisocial behavior are at risk for negative outcome later in life. Growing evidence supports the relationship between neurobiological factors and juvenile antisocial behavior, especially when such behavior is severe and persistent. Among the most replicated findings in this respect are those indicating decreased (re)activity of stress regulatory mechanisms, involving both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the autonomic nervous system (ANS), represented by cortisol and heart rate respectively. As research on this issue is of relatively recent origin, most studies to date are cross-sectional. Furthermore, longitudinal studies are limited in number and findings are characterized by inconsistency. Although there is some evidence for relationships between neurobiological deficits and antisocial behavior, more (longitudinal) research is needed to unravel which specific subtypes of antisocial behavior are related to either resting and / or stress-induced neurobiological deficits.