NCJ Number
228588
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 36 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2009 Pages: 1131-1147
Date Published
November 2009
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined effective connectivity between the caudate nucleus and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in order to understand learning and goal directed behavior.
Abstract
Results found a more diffuse region of connectivity in the frontal cortex, which extended to areas of the middle frontal gyrus (MFG). This is consistent with other studies showing less circumscribed patterns of connectivity in child and adolescent samples. The MFG is implicated in top-down modulation of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons and reward processing. Furthermore, functional deficiencies within the MFG have been observed in those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) during working memory and response inhibition and delay tasks. Findings suggest deficiencies in frontostriatal functioning during extinction among those with externalizing disorders. Both adolescents with externalizing disorders and controls showed significant negative intrinsic connectivity from the caudate to the ACC-MFC. Additionally it found was that the modulatory effect of non-reward on this bottom-up pathway was significantly impaired in the externalizing group. Finally, consistent with previous work, results found a significant effect of reward and non-reward on the perturbation of the caudate activation in both groups. Data were collected from 216 parents of potential adolescent male participants using portions of the Adolescent Symptom Inventory and the Child Behavior Checklist. Tables and references