AI Flashcards Fairchild 2019 CD
What is a major criticism of the diagnostic criteria for CD?
They are based entirely on behavioural symptoms and are therefore, uninformative about the underlying cognitive or emotional processes that drive these symptoms.
What are the two subtypes of CD based on age of onset?
Childhood-onset CD and adolescent-onset CD.
What is meant by ‘limited prosocial emotions’ (LPEs) in the context of CD?
LPEs, also referred to as callous-unemotional (CU) traits, include deficits in empathy. They are considered the affective dimension of psychopathy.
What is the prevalence of CD in school-aged children?
Approximately 3%, and it is twice as prevalent in males than in females.
What are some of the neurocognitive impairments associated with CD?
Smaller grey matter volume in limbic regions such as the amygdala, insula, and orbitofrontal cortex, as well as functional abnormalities in brain circuits responsible for emotion processing, emotion regulation, and reinforcement-based decision making.
What are the main types of interventions for CD?
Primarily parent-based or family-based psychosocial interventions, although stimulants and atypical antipsychotics are sometimes used, especially in individuals with comorbid ADHD.
Is CD a unified construct in terms of its genetic architecture?
No, it is likely not a unified construct and dimensional approaches might be better suited to investigate its heritability and underlying mechanisms.
What is a passive gene-environment correlation in the context of CD?
When children inherit genetic variants that also contribute to the environment that their parents create. For example, parents may transmit a genetic liability for CD and provide an abusive rearing environment.
What is an active gene-environment correlation in the context of CD?
When a child’s genes predispose them to seek out certain environments, such as associating with antisocial peers.
What is an evocative gene-environment correlation in the context of CD?
When a child’s genes predispose them to behave in a way that evokes certain environmental influences, such as negative treatment from parents.
What is the role of the MAOA gene in CD?
The MAOA gene moderates the effect of childhood maltreatment on risk of CD; males carrying the low-activity variant are more susceptible to the negative effects of maltreatment. This may be because low-activity MAOA carriers are more reactive to emotional stimuli and less capable of regulating their emotions.
Which neurotransmitter pathways have been implicated in the pathophysiology of CD?
Serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways.
What is the role of epigenetic modifications in CD?
Environmental experiences can lead to epigenetic modifications of DNA and chromatin, which are key regulators of gene transcription. DNA methylation could mediate gene-environment effects.
What are some of the neurocognitive deficits observed in youths with CD?
Deficits in facial and vocal emotion recognition, affective empathy, decision-making, and reinforcement learning. Youths with CD are more influenced by potential rewards and less influenced by punishment.
Which brain regions show reduced activation in youths with CD?
The dorsal and rostral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), medial prefrontal cortex, and ventral striatum. Underactivation of the amygdala and striatum has also been observed.
