Effects of Psychopathy on Neurocognitive Domains of Impulsivity in Abstinent Opiate and Stimulant Users

Abstract

Background: Psychopathy and substance use disorders (SUDs) are both characterized by neurocognitive impairments reflecting higher levels of impulsivity such as reward-driven decision-making and deficient inhibitory control. Previous studies suggest that psychopathy may exacerbate decision-making deficits, but it may be unrelated to other neurocognitive impairments among substance dependent individuals (SDIs). The aim of the present study was to examine the role of psychopathy and its interpersonal-affective and impulsive-antisocial dimensions in moderating the relationships between dependence on different classes of drugs and neurocognitive domains of impulsivity.Method: We tested 693 participants (112 heroin mono-dependent individuals, 71 heroin polysubstance dependent individuals, 115 amphetamine mono-dependent individuals, 76 amphetamine polysubstance dependent individuals, and 319 non-substance dependent control individuals). Participants were administered the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV) and seven neurocognitive tasks measuring impulsive choice/decision-making (Iowa Gambling Task; Cambridge Gambling Task; Kirby Delay Discounting Task; Balloon Analog Risk Task), and impulsive action/response inhibition (Go/No-Go Task, Immediate Memory Task, and Stop Signal Task).Results: A series of hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that the interpersonal-affective dimension of psychopathy moderated the association between decision-making, response inhibition and both amphetamine and heroin dependence, albeit differently. For amphetamine users, low levels of interpersonal-affective traits predicted poor decision-making on the Iowa Gambling Task and better response inhibition on the Stop Signal task. In contrast, in heroin users high interpersonal-affective psychopathy traits predicted lower risk taking on the Cambridge Gambling Task and better response inhibition on the Go/No-Go task. The impulsive-antisocial dimension of psychopathy predicted poor response inhibition in both amphetamine and heroin users.Conclusions: Our findings reveal that psychopathy and its dimensions had both common and unique effects on neurocognitive function in heroin and amphetamine dependent individuals. Our results suggest that the specific interactions between psychopathy dimensions and dependence on different classes of drugs may lead to either deficient or superior decision-making and response inhibition performance in SDIs, suggesting that psychopathy may paradoxically play a protective role for some neurocognitive functions in specific subtypes of substance users.

Comparing Psychopathy Across Measurement Modalities

“…The data used in the current study were collected as part of another project on impulsivity among substance users in Bulgaria (i.e., Psederska et al, 2021). Participants were recruited via flyers placed at substance abuse clinics, therapeutic communities, social venues, as well as through the study's web page and Facebook page.…”

Identifying Distinct Profiles of Impulsivity for the Four Facets of Psychopathy

“…Impulsivity has long been considered a central feature of psychopathy (7,31). Studies reveal that both trait (7,(32)(33)(34)(35) and neurobehavioral domains (36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41) of impulsivity are related to psychopathy. However, these studies largely employ different definitions and measures of impulsivity and psychopathy and have produced some conflicting findings.…”

“…Inconsistencies across findings may be explained by the multidimensional nature of psychopathy, as the majority of the studies investigating the relationships between psychopathy and neurobehavioral impulsivity examined these associations only at the domain-level (i.e., PCL sum scores). However, several studies have accounted for the distinct psychopathy dimensions and reported that only the lifestyle and antisocial domains are associated with both risky and disadvantageous decision-making (36,58,59) and impaired response inhibition (40,60,61). In contrast, the interpersonal and affective dimensions of psychopathy were associated with higher inhibition capacity (40,60,61).…”

“…However, several studies have accounted for the distinct psychopathy dimensions and reported that only the lifestyle and antisocial domains are associated with both risky and disadvantageous decision-making (36,58,59) and impaired response inhibition (40,60,61). In contrast, the interpersonal and affective dimensions of psychopathy were associated with higher inhibition capacity (40,60,61).…”

Regional Homogeneity Abnormalities and Its Correlation With Impulsivity in Male Abstinent Methamphetamine Dependent Individuals

“…Although many factors contribute to recurrence of MADs, a possible key predictor is impulsivity ( Ahn et al, 2016 ; Vassileva and Conrod, 2019 ). Impulsivity is defined as a predisposition toward rapid, unplanned reactions to internal or external stimuli with diminished regard to their negative consequences to themselves or others ( Ahn et al, 2016 ; Psederska et al, 2021 ). It is considered a key etiological factor in current conceptualizations of substance use disorder (SUD).…”