Antisocial Behavior Disorders Research Articles

The shared genetic etiology of antisocial behavior and psychiatric disorders: Insights from pleiotropy and causality analysis

BackgroundAntisocial behavior (ASB) infringes on the rights of others and significantly disrupts social order. Studies have shown that ASB is phenotypically associated with various psychiatric disorders. However, these studies often neglected the importance of genetic foundations. MethodsThis study utilized genome-wide association studies and pleiotropy analysis to explore the genetic correlation between ASB and psychiatric disorders. Linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) and high-definition likelihood (HDL) methods were employed to assess genetic correlations, and the PLACO method was used for pleiotropy analysis. Functional annotation and biological pathway analysis of identified pleiotropic genes were performed using enrichment analysis. Furthermore, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to validate these causal relationships. ResultsLDSC and HDL analysis showed that significant positive genetic correlations were between ASB and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia (SCZ), major depressive disorder (MDD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Multiple potential pleiotropic genetic loci were identified, particularly the FOXP2 and MDFIC genes located at the 7q31.1 locus. Enrichment analysis showed that these pleiotropic genes are highly expressed in several brain regions (such as the hypothalamus, cerebellar hemisphere, cortex, and amygdala) and immune-related cells. MR analysis further confirmed the causal effects ADHD, SCZ, and MDD on ASB risk. ConclusionThis study reveals significant genetic correlations and potential causal mechanisms between ASB and various psychiatric disorders. The MR analysis confirmed the causal effects of psychiatric disorders on ASB. These findings deepen our understanding of the genetic architecture of psychiatric disorders and ASB.

Effectiveness of group metacognitive therapy on recovery indicators in Muslim female drug abusers: Evidence from Afghanistan

Objective: Substance abuse is associated with a plethora of issues and harmful outcomes. It contributes to antisocial behavior and psychological disorders. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of metacognitive group therapy (MCGT) on recovery indicators in Muslim female drug abusers in the Herat Province of Afghanistan.Methods: In this study, Muslim female drug abusers (N=30, mean age 38.15 years, 100% female, 100% Afghan) were randomized to group metacognitive therapy (MCGT) or treatment as usual (TAU). The MCT group received six sessions of MCT in addition to conventional treatment. The TAU group received only conventional treatment. All participants completed a demographic questionnaire and Metacognition Questionnaire, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Drug Use Evaluation Questionnaire, Personal Concerns Inventory, Motivational Structure Questionnaire, and Situational Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ). Data were collected at baseline and at the 3-month follow-up sessions. Results: Compared with TAU, MCT reduced anxiety, depression, drug use evaluation, and personal concerns, as well as improved motivational structure, situational confidence, and metacognitive beliefs. Conclusions: It seems that MCT may be an essential addition to methadone maintenance therapy.This study strongly suggests that MCT is an effective treatment for improving Muslim drug abusers’ recovery indicators, but only in cases of mild to moderate severity. For persons with severe substance abuse, additional treatment may be necessary.

Antisocial Behavior Monitoring Services of Indonesian Public Twitter Using Machine Learning

Antisocial behavior is a personality disorder that has characteristics such as repetitive actions that violate social norms, deceit and lying, impulsiveness, irritability and aggression, reckless disregard for the safety of oneself and others, consistently irresponsible, and lack of remorse. The cause can be from various factors, including genetics, psychological conditions, interactions in the environment, and wrong parenting. The impact of antisocial behavior on social life can cause people to tend to be aggressive and take it into action by not having feelings of guilt for their actions. Thus, a monitoring of antisocial behavior disorders is needed so that it can be a warning for the public to be more concerned about the difficulties experienced by each other. The potential gained from the availability of tweet data access from the Twitter API opens up opportunities for monitoring antisocial behavior. By utilizing traditional machine learning and deep learning methods, it can be an opportunity to automate labeling on Twitter data that contains elements of antisocial behavior. Based on the description of the problems and opportunities found, this study proposes a multi-class classification monitoring service to identify public antisocial behavior on Twitter Indonesia using machine learning.

Genetic Variants Allegedly Linked to Antisocial Behaviour Are Equally Distributed Across Different Populations

Human behaviour is determined by a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Several studies have demonstrated different associations between human behaviour and numerous genetic variants. In particular, allelic variants in SLC6A4, MAOA, DRD4, and DRD2 showed statistical associations with major depressive disorder, antisocial behaviour, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder; BDNF polymorphic variants were associated with depressive, bipolar, and schizophrenia diseases, and TPH2 variants were found both in people with unipolar depression and in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Independent studies have failed to confirm polymorphic variants associated with criminal and aggressive behaviour. In the present study, a set of genetic variants involved in serotoninergic, dopaminergic, and neurobiological pathways were selected from those previously associated with criminal behaviour. The distribution of these genetic variants was compared across worldwide populations. While data on single polymorphic variants showed differential distribution across populations, these differences failed to be significant when a comprehensive analysis was conducted on the total number of published variants. The lack of reproducibility of the genetic association data published to date, the weakness of statistical associations, the heterogeneity of the phenotype, and the massive influence of the environment on human behaviour do not allow us to consider these genetic variants as undoubtedly associated with antisocial behaviour. Moreover, these data confirm the absence of ethnic predisposition to aggressive and criminal behaviour.

Helping the noncompliant child: An updated assessment of program costs and cost-effectiveness

Behavior disorders (BD) in children can lead to delinquency, antisocial behavior, and mental disorders in adulthood. Evidence-based behavioral parent training (BPT) programs have been developed to treat early-onset BDs, yet cost analyses of BPT are deficient. We provide updated estimates of cost and cost-effectiveness of Helping the Noncompliant Child (HNC), a mastery-based BPT, delivered to low-income families. The cost of research-specific activities was $1152 per family. HNC program delivery costs were $293 per family from a payer perspective, including the cost of therapist time ($275 per family) and non-labor resources, such as supplies and toys ($18 per family). It costs an average of $6 to improve the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory intensity score by each additional point or $171 to improve it by one standard deviation. The cost of delivering the HNC program appears to compare favorably with the costs of similar BPT programs.

Efficacy of multisystemic therapy in youths aged 10-17 with severe antisocial behaviour and emotional disorders: systematic review.

BackgroundAntisocial behaviour and conduct disorders are the most common behavioural and mental health problems in children and young people globally. An efficacious intervention is needed to manage these antisocial behaviours that have costly consequences. Multisystemic Therapy (MST), an intensive home-based intervention for youths with psychosocial and behavioural problems, is recommended under National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines for conduct disorder. However, reviews on the efficacy of MST are mixed.AimTo review randomised controlled trials (RCTs) reporting efficacy of MST among youths presenting with antisocial behaviour and emotional disorder respectively.MethodA systematic map term to subject heading search was conducted in PsycINFO, Embase, and Ovid Medline databases for articles up to November 2015. RCTs comparing MST vs.treatment as usual (TAU) in youths presenting with antisocial behaviour and emotional disorder were included.Results12 RCTs (n = 1425) reported efficacy of MST vs. TAU in youths presenting with antisocial behaviour and emotional disorder. Clinically significant treatment effects of MST showed a reduction of antisocial behaviour which includes delinquency. MST, vs. psychiatric hospitalisation, was associated with a reduction of suicidal attempts in youths presenting with psychiatric emergencies. 4 studies showed that MST was less costly than TAU in the short term, with further analysis required for long-term cost-effectiveness.ConclusionMST is an efficacious intervention for severe antisocial behaviours in reduction of delinquency and should be included in clinical practices. MST was shown to have a positive effect on emotional disorder but further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of MST with emotional disorder. Further analysis is required to assess the services utilized for long-term cost effectiveness.

Limited effects of pre‐existing maternal antisocial behaviours on infant neurodevelopment: A pilot study

AbstractAntisocial behaviour disorders (ABDs) are among the most costly and treatment resistant of all psychiatric syndromes. Select neurodevelopmental abnormalities have been labelled a risk factor for ABDs, but it is unknown if maternal ABDs are associated with early neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This study tested whether infants of ABD mothers had more neurodevelopmental abnormalities than mothers with no psychiatric disorder (ND). Thirty‐nine pregnant women (49% with ABDs; 51% no psychiatric disorder) were recruited from the community. Infant neurodevelopment was assessed at ≤1 and 8 weeks using the Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale and at 16 weeks of age using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development‐III. There was no significant group difference at ≤8 weeks. At 16 weeks, ABD mothers rated their infants higher on the Adapted Behaviours subscale, specifically on the leisure and self‐directed scales, when corrected for substance use and socio‐economic status. This pilot study found higher maternal ratings of Adapted Behaviours at 16 weeks, which may be due to unrealistic expectations about infant development.Highlights Maternal Antisocial behaviour disorders (ABDs) do not impact early infant neurodevelopment at ≤ 8 weeks old as measured by standardized assessment. Mothers with ABDs view their infants at 16 weeks as better adapted than women without any psychiatric disorder. Specifically, mothers with ABDs reported their infants as better adapted on the leisure and self‐direction subscales of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development‐III. This finding may be due to less knowledge about normal infant adaptive behavior.

239. Disentangling Associations between Antisocial Behavior and Anxiety Disorders with Amygdala-Orbitofrontal Functional and Structural Connectivity in Females

Disentangling Associations between Antisocial Behavior and Anxiety Disorders with Amygdala-Orbitofrontal Functional and Structural Connectivity in Females

Prevalence and correlates of reading and spelling difficulty in 10 year old children in a semi-urban population in Sri Lanka

Introduction: Reading and spelling disability in children is neurodevelopmental in nature and is associated with a range of cognitive deficits. The condition is of clinical importance due to its comorbidity with other developmental disorders and disruptive and antisocial behaviour disorders. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of reading and spelling difficulty in Sinhala language in 10 year old children attending main-stream education and its relationship between socio-economic and family factors. Method: In this community based cross sectional study, the sample was randomly selected from children attending Grade 5 in all main stream schools in a geographically defined area. The working definition of reading and spelling difficulty was adopted from standards set by the National Institute of Education for Sri Lankan in children 10 years old and attending Grade 5. Assessment was objectively structured into 5 different tasks, which were independently scored by 2 assessors. Data were obtained on developmental adversities, physical health and socio-economic status of family. Results: The total sample was 275 with 56.3% males. Of the 5 domains (reading, comprehension, spelling, sentence writing, expressive written language) assessed, spelling difficulty was the most prevalent (22.5%). Correlation between the performance in the 5 domains was significant ( p Conclusions: The study found a high prevalence of reading and spelling disability in Sinhala language in 10 year old children attending main-stream education. The risk of such disability is significantly higher in the presence of low educational level of mother and low family income.

Association of respondent psychiatric comorbidity with family history of comorbidity: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III

ObjectiveSubstance use disorders and major psychiatric disorders are common, highly comorbid with each other, and familial. However, the extent to which comorbidity is itself familial remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate associations between comorbidity among respondents with family history of comorbidity. MethodsWe analyzed data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III to study the associations of family history (FH) of comorbidity among alcoholism, drug problems, depression, antisocial behavior, and anxiety disorders in parents and maternal and paternal grandparents with corresponding DSM-5 diagnostic comorbidity among respondents. We utilized multivariable multinomial logistic regression models controlling for age, sex, race, education, family income, marital status, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ResultsAll comorbid associations of any two disorders with FH were statistically significant; almost all adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for respondent comorbidity in the presence of FH of the parallel comorbidity exceeded 10. ORs involving antisocial behavior in relatives and antisocial personality disorder in respondents were consistently larger than those for any other pairs of disorders. After further adjustment for ACEs, most patterns of association were similar but the ORs were reduced twofold to threefold. ACEs may be mediators in relationships between familial and respondent comorbidities. ConclusionFurther investigations of relationships among familial comorbidity, ACEs, and respondents' diagnoses may improve understanding of comorbidity.

Coupling of Temperament with Mental Illness in Four Age Groups.

Studies of temperament profiles in patients with mental disorders mostly focus on emotionality-related traits, although mental illness symptoms include emotional and nonemotional aspects of behavioral regulation. This study investigates relationships between 12 temperament traits (9 nonemotionality and 3 emotionality related) measured by the Structure of Temperament Questionnaire and four groups of clinical symptoms (depression, anxiety, antisociality, and dominance-mania) measured by the Personality Assessment Inventory. The study further examines age differences in relationships among clinical symptoms and temperament traits. Intake records of 335 outpatients and clients divided into four age groups (18-25, 26-45, 46-65, and 66-85) showed no significant age differences on depression scales; however, the youngest group had significantly higher scores on Anxiety, Antisocial Behavior, Dominance, and Thought Disorders scales. Correlations between Personality Assessment Inventory and Structure of Temperament Questionnaire scales were consistent with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, descriptors showing strong concurrent validity. Several age differences on temperament scales are also reported. Results show the benefits of differentiation between physical, social-verbal, and mental aspects of activities, as well as differentiation between dynamical, orientational, and energetic aspects in studying mental illness and temperament.

Antisocial peer affiliation and externalizing disorders: Evidence for Gene × Environment × Development interaction.

Gene × Environment interaction contributes to externalizing disorders in childhood and adolescence, but little is known about whether such effects are long lasting or present in adulthood. We examined gene-environment interplay in the concurrent and prospective associations between antisocial peer affiliation and externalizing disorders (antisocial behavior and substance use disorders) at ages 17, 20, 24, and 29. The sample included 1,382 same-sex twin pairs participating in the Minnesota Twin Family Study. We detected a Gene × Environment interaction at age 17, such that additive genetic influences on antisocial behavior and substance use disorders were greater in the context of greater antisocial peer affiliation. This Gene × Environment interaction was not present for antisocial behavior symptoms after age 17, but it was for substance use disorder symptoms through age 29 (though effect sizes were largest at age 17). The results suggest adolescence is a critical period for the development of externalizing disorders wherein exposure to greater environmental adversity is associated with a greater expression of genetic risk. This form of Gene × Environment interaction may persist through young adulthood for substance use disorders, but it appears to be limited to adolescence for antisocial behavior.

Effectiveness of the Preschool Version of the First Step to Success Early Intervention Program for Preventing Antisocial Behaviors

Problem behaviors are defined as negative/harming/aggressive behaviors that can be consistently demonstrated in various environments such as at school, home, or in the community (Walker, Colvin, & Ramsey, 1995). A wide range of problem behaviors are discussed in the literature under the titles antisocial behaviors, difficult behaviors, unwanted behaviors, aggressive behaviors, and adjustment and behavior disorder. Physical and verbal attacks, over irritability, reacting to friends with hostility, constant objection to the directions of adults, ignoring the warnings of adults, harming public property intentionally, harming and teasing others, and hyperactivity can be stated as examples of antisocial behaviors (Giannopulu, Escolano, Cusin, Citeau, & Dellatolas, 2008; Tremblay, 2000).Academic skills are one of the main areas where children with antisocial behaviors experience severe difficulties. Studies have shown that these children have lower rates of participation in academic activities and lower academic success compared to their peers (Coie & Jacobs, 1993; Hendawi, 2012; Lane, 1999). They are often expelled from school or drop out and encounter the risks of committing crime or becoming addicted to drugs (Tremblay, 2000; Walker et al., 1995). Children with antisocial behaviors also have some problems with social skills, and this has a strong relationship with their academic skills. Studies have revealed that these children have problems with their peers in social interactions; have difficulties in understanding social clues or behaviors of their peers; frequently prefer aggressive problem solving strategies in their relationships; and were often rejected by their peers (Parker & Asher, 1987; Pepler, Craig, & Roberts, 1998; Walker, Ramsey, & Gresham, 2004). Children with antisocial behaviors affect both the house that they live in and the school that they are educated in, and teachers and families usually spend most of their time trying to cope with those behaviors instead of focusing on academic activities (Finn & Pannozzo, 2004).The roots of antisocial behaviors go back to the early years of life (Arseneault et al., 2003; Campbell, 2002; Fox, Dunlap, & Powell, 2002; Wakschlag & Danis, 2004; Waliski & Carslon, 2008). Studies indicate that the behaviors of arguing, disobedience, and not sharing that appear in early childhood turn into fighting, lying, and stealing in the primary school years. These then turn into more serious and complex behaviors that are difficult to overcome such as interpersonal violence, committing crimes, harming the property of others, starting gangs and racketeering during and after puberty (Loeber, 1990; Patterson, DeBaryshe, & Ramsey, 1989; Robins, 1978; Tremblay, Phil, Vitaro, & Dobkin, 1994; Walker & Cheng, 2007; Wicks- Nelson & Israel, 1997). In particular, half of the children who display externalized problem behaviors (such as hitting and swearing) during preschool continue these behaviors during and after their school years (Campbell, 1995). The amelioration of antisocial behaviors that could not be controlled with effective interventions in earlier periods costs more effort, time and money in the long term (Elliot, Prior, Merrigan, & Ballinger, 2002). In addition to this, primary caretakers and the immediate environment (such as teachers and classmates) play a significant role in a child's social and emotional development (Dunlap et al., 2006; Robins, 1978; Walker et al., 2004). Early intervention programs that start at early ages and implemented in various mediums (individual, family, and school) have gradually become important in this context (Elliot et al., 2002; Kazdin, 1987). One such program is the First Step to Success (FSS) Early Intervention Program that was developed by Walker et al. (1997) for preschool and primary school first/second grade students at risk of displaying antisocial behaviors. The program was later applied to nursery school students by Walker et al. …

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Across the Lifespan.

Up to 10% of school-age children have attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which often persists into adulthood. ADHD can be associated with significant comorbidity of disruptive, mood, and anxiety disorders. Although many children with ADHD have good long-term outcomes, a significant subset has substance abuse, antisocial behavior, and mood disorders as adults. Pharmacotherapy with stimulants, atomoxetine, and alpha-agonists is highly effective in the short term; behavior therapy is valuable as an adjunct to medication or to address comorbid conditions. Multiple genes each likely contribute small effects to the risk of ADHD. Neuroimaging studies suggest that individuals with ADHD have insufficient activation of cortical attention networks, reduced activity of ventral striatal reward systems, and dysregulated control of the default mode network. No neuroimaging technique is yet useful clinically. More long-term studies of both medication and psychosocial interventions are needed to improve outcomes.

Psychometric Properties of the Cyberbullying Test, a Screening Instrument to Measure Cybervictimization, Cyberaggression, and Cyberobservation.

The purpose of the study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Cyberbullying Test. The sample included 3,026 participants from the Basque Country (northern Spain), aged 12 to 18 years. Results confirmed high internal consistency and moderate temporal stability. Exploratory factor analysis yielded three moderately correlated factors (cyberobserver, cyberaggressor, and cybervictim). Confirmatory factor analysis ratified adequate model fit of the three factors. Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed: (a) cybervictims use a variety of conflict resolution strategies, scoring high in neuroticism, openness, antisocial behavior, emotional attention, school-academic problems, shyness-withdrawal, psychopathological disorders, anxiety, and psychosomatic complaints, and low in agreeableness, responsibility, self-esteem, and social adjustment and (b) cyberaggressors use many aggressive conflict resolution strategies, scoring high in neuroticism, antisocial behavior, school-academic problems, psychopathological and psychosomatic disorders, and low in empathy, agreeableness, responsibility, emotion regulation, and social adjustment. The study confirms the test's reliability and validity.

Profiles of Religiosity and Their Association With Risk Behavior Among Emerging Adults in the United States

There exists significant variation in religious expression, and a growing body of research suggests the importance of examining this variation among emerging adults vis-à-vis involvement in antisocial and high-risk behaviors. Drawing from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH; N = 19,312) and the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; N = 2,721), latent profile analysis and multinomial regression are employed to examine the relationships between latent religiosity classes, antisocial behavior, substance use, and substance use disorders. Results revealed four-class solutions for both the NSDUH and NESARC samples. Emerging adults classified as “publicly and privately devoted” were substantially less likely to be involved in a broad array of risk behaviors and to meet criteria for substance use disorders. Findings suggest the protective effect of religiosity finds its most powerful expression primarily among the minority of emerging adults most profoundly committed to religious life.

Teoría de la mente y empatía como predictores de conductas disociales en la adolescencia

It has been proposed that the characteristics of theory of mind and empathy are important predictors of behavioural disorders during childhood and adolescence. This study compared a group of teenagers with the characteristics of antisocial behavior disorder and a group of teenagers as controls in terms of their performance on tests assessing the theory of mind and empathy, with the further aim of establishing risk and protective factors predictive of the development of antisocial behavior during adolescence. There were significant statistical differences between the two groups on the theory of mind and empathy tests. The dimension of empathy known as as perspective taking as well as the adolescent’s skills in understanding mental and emotional states were established as protective factors according to the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test.

Opioids and Traffic Safety – Focus on Buprenorphine

Opioid maintenance therapy is a well-established first-line treatment approach in opioid dependence. The effects of opioids such as buprenorphine on cognitive functioning and driving ability are a matter of debate. A comprehensive review of studies of the effects of buprenorphine on traffic safety is presented. A number of recent epidemiological and road surveys indicate that opioids have a moderate risk for causing accidents compared to other drugs of abuse, such as alcohol. A number of neuropsychological studies, a few of which were prospective and used a randomized control group, have used standardized test batteries to measure domains relevant for psychomotor functioning and driving ability. Single doses of buprenorphine have been shown to induce some impairment in healthy volunteers, but less than found in chronic users. Some non-randomized studies indicate somewhat better cognitive performance of patients on buprenorphine than of those on methadone but this finding has not been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials. Opioids as a class of drugs induce some impairment of driving ability, but less than other psychotropic agents or drugs of abuse. Personality features such as impulsivity, sensation seeking, low risk perception and antisocial behaviour, comorbid psychiatric and neurological disorders and additional substance use of opioid users are of relevance for traffic safety. Buprenorphine does not cause more cognitive impairment than methadone or may even cause less. Caution is required when initiating treatment with buprenorphine. The risk for driving ability impairment is probably less under steady state conditions. Finally, higher doses of buprenorphine are probably not associated with more impairment.

Learning difficulties: A retrospective study of their co morbidity and continuity as indicators of adult criminal behaviour in 18–70-year-old prisoners

The development of learning difficulties is associated with problems in external (executive) and extensive behaviour in a co-occurrence with psycho-emotional problems beginning from pre-school, school age, and adolescence up to adulthood. Through the current survey, we aim to emphasise the early role of learning difficulties during the school age and adolescence of prisoners and their effects on the onset of offending behaviours in adulthood, such as criminal behaviour. Altogether, we studied 117 Greek adult prisoners from 18 to 70 years old who were accused of different types or degrees of offences. Through statistical analyses, the following factors were observed with high statistical significance as early indicators of criminal behaviour in the adult lives of the prisoners: (i) learning difficulties, (ii) family problems, (iii) behaviour disorders, (iv) developmental disorders, and (v) psycho-emotional disorders. As a result, the learning difficulties were assumed to be the most decisive factor in the developmental progression of prisoners because they manifested early in the prisoners' lives, weakened the prisoners to be competitive and robust, provoked a bad self-image and low self-esteem, and, in the frame of a weak or negative family and educational environment, they accompanied antisocial behaviour and psycho-emotional disorders even from adolescence, which continued into adulthood.

ACE inhibitors could be therapeutic for antisocial personality disorder

Antisocial personality traits are an important topic for research. The societal cost of these behaviors encourages efforts at a better understanding of central nervous system causes.Catecholamine genes are being studied to facilitate this understanding, and some tentative findings are being reached about several of these genes. It seems that many genes play a role to produce antisocial behaviors so complexity of elucidating each gene is obvious.One conclusion that could be drawn from the current research findings is that DA2 like receptors (DRD2, DRD3, DRD4) with alleles that decrease neurotransmission are facilitatory of antisocial behaviors. DA2 like receptors cause neuronal firing to inhibit many peripheral functions through adenylyl cyclase inhibition. When these receptors are less active by genetically decreased density, lower affinity, or by low dopamine levels as final common pathways then inhibition is released and a state of disinhibition can be said to describe this state. Peripheral metabolism is increased and behavioral activation is noted. Renin is disinhibited in this setting thus allowing sympathetic nervous system activation. The fight or flight behaviors thus produced, in the extreme, would be the setting of antisocial behavior.Research validates this hypothesis. Understanding this final common pathway toward antisocial behavior should lead to better treatment for individuals with this pattern of behavior before they have caused harm to themselves and others. ACE inhibitors are well tolerated drugs used in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure and would also treat antisocial behavior disorders.