Similar autonomic responsivity in boys with conduct disorder and their fathers.

Objective: Antisocial behavior frequently occurs in families. This study investigated whether autonomic hypoarousal and hyporesponsivity, which have been observed in antisocial individuals of all ages, are passed from fathers to male offspring.

Method: The study included 44 boys with early-onset conduct disorder and 36 healthy controls (8 to 13 years old) together with their biological fathers.

Response to emotional stimuli in boys with conduct disorder.

Objective: Boys with conduct disorder are at risk of persistently showing antisocial behavior in adult life, particularly if they have an additional diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In the search for biological risk factors that predispose children to the development of antisocial personality disorder, research has provided substantial data suggesting that autonomic hyporesponsiveness indicates a greater likelihood of future antisocial behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine autonomic arousal in boys with conduct disorder, comorbid conduct disorder and ADHD, and ADHD only.