Frontal information flow and connectivity in psychopathy

Abstract

Despite accumulating evidence of structural deficits in individuals with psychopathy, especially in frontal regions, our understanding of systems-level disturbances in cortical networks remains limited. We applied novel graph theory-based methods to assess information flow and connectivity based on cortical thickness measures in 55 individuals with psychopathy and 47 normal controls. Compared with controls, the psychopathy group showed significantly altered interregional connectivity patterns. Furthermore, bilateral superior frontal cortices in the frontal network were identified as information flow control hubs in the psychopathy group in contrast to bilateral inferior frontal and medial orbitofrontal cortices as network hubs of the controls. Frontal information flow and connectivity may have a significant role in the neuropathology of psychopathy.