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Objective: Alexithymic characteristics, aggression and psychopathy are a particular problem commonly observed in subjects with antisocial personality disorder (APD). We investigated the proportions of alexithymic features, aggression levels and psychopaty scores, and the connection between alexithymia, aggression and psychopathy scores in young adult male subjects diagnosed with APD. Methods: APD diagnosis was established by APD section of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Axis II Disorders. Subjects diagnosed with APD (n=121) and normal (healthy) subjects (n=72) with no known medical or psychiatric disorder were compared using the Hare Psychopathy Checklist- Revised, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS)-20 items, Aggression Questionnaire and a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: The APD group displayed significantly higher scores on alexithymia, aggression and psychopathy than healthy control group. Although there was a positive correlation between psychopathy and verbal-physical aggression, and between alexithymia and aggression scores, no correlation was detected between psychopathy and alexithymia scores. Conclusion: As compared to healthy controls, a considerably higher rates of psychopathy, alexithymia and aggression in subjects diagnosed with APD are in agreement with previous studies. Though alexithymia and psychopathy have long been linked, the relationship between the two constructs remains unclear. Unlike previous literature, our sample was comprised of non-prisoners. Therefore, we believe that this paper has a partial but significant epidemiologic value, reşecting the overall condition in our young adult male subjects with APD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Some biological researches on aggressive behaviors suggest that cortical excitability and inhibition imbalance cause behavioral problems like reactive aggression, impulsivity and inability to behavioral control. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether cortical excitability-inhibition imbalance is responsible for aggressive behaviors in adult young men with antisocial personality disorder in which aggressive behavior is one of the key features. Method: We studied 42 subjects with antisocial personality disorder and 44 healthy controls matched for age and education level. The electrophysiology of cortical inhibition and excitability was measured with transcranial magnetic stimulation. SCID-I, SCID-II, Aggression Questionnaire, and Edinburg Handedness Inventory were performed to all subjects. Results: Motor threshold, cortical latency, and central motor conduction time, which are related with cortical excitability, have been found statistically significant lower on antisocial personality disorder group compared with healthy controls. There was no difference between two groups on cortical silent period which reflects cortical inhibitory mechanisms. Conclusion: The results indicate an increase in cortical motor excitability on antisocial personality disorder, and we suggest that the cortical imbalance might render the person prone to behavior problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]