Psychopathy and Corticostriatal Connectivity: The Link to Criminal Behavior in Methamphetamine Dependence

Abstract

Methamphetamine use and psychopathy are associated with criminal behavior; however, it is unclear how methamphetamine use and psychopathy interact to promote violent, economic and drug offenses. Abnormalities in corticostriatal functional connectivity are exhibited in both psychopathic and methamphetamine dependent individuals, which may contribute to criminal behavior through maladaptive and impulsive decision-making processes. This study shows that psychopathic traits contribute to weaker corticostriatal connectivity in methamphetamine dependence and contributes to an increase in criminal behavior. As the propensity to engage in criminal activity is dependent on a number of factors, a hierarchical regression identifies the contribution of the impulsive antisocial domain of psychopathy, anxiety, years of methamphetamine use and corticostriatal connectivity on different types of criminal offenses. Methamphetamine use and psychopathic traits reduce treatment responsiveness and increase the likelihood of recidivism, and it is therefore important to understand the factors underlying the propensity to engage in criminal behavior.

The profile of amphetamine users in a substance abuse treatment center in Mexico

“…Abnormalities in ventral striatal function and corticostriatal resting-state functional connectivity have been described in methamphetamine consumers. These alterations are related to poor behavioral regulation and impulsiveness and to increased propensity for aggression and violence (Hoffman et al, 2020).…”

Dopamine dysfunction in stimulant use disorders: mechanistic comparisons and implications for treatment

“…Although both cocaine and amphetamine use have been associated with perpetration of crime and violence, chronic use of methamphetamine has been more closely related to violent behavior than that of cocaine 12 , 19 . For example, higher psychopathy ratings and number of total criminal convictions were related to lower levels of corticostriatal resting-state functional connectivity in methamphetamine users 20 . Thus, reduced cortical regulation of reward networks in methamphetamine users may predispose them to antisocial behavior and criminality.…”

Tryptophan and Substance Abuse: Mechanisms and Impact

“…Poor mental health and social disability (i.e., unemployment and economic hardship) can be considered the most immediate adverse effects of METH dependence, which significantly decreases the quality of life among users [89,90]. METH dependence is a major global public health challenge due to its medical, psychiatric, cognitive, and socioeconomic consequences [91,92]. Figure 3 represents the METH-induced serotonin pathway in the CNS.…”