A key point in which neurobiology can be useful is understanding antisocial behaviours. In practice the main point is that we have a low response to rewards with low sympathetic response to them.

In their exploration of polyvagal theory and its relevance to developmental psychopathology, Theodore P. Beauchaine, Lisa Gatzke-Kopp, and Hilary K. Mead focus on the role of emotion dysregulation in conduct problems from preschool to adolescence. This research underscores the significance of polyvagal theory, initially proposed by Porges (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003), in understanding the physiological underpinnings of psychopathology, particularly externalizing behaviors in children and adolescents.

Key Points from the Research:

• Role of Polyvagal Theory in Psychopathology:

  • Polyvagal theory serves as an organizing framework to understand the autonomic nervous system's role in emotion regulation and emotional lability. This understanding is crucial in addressing conduct problems and other externalizing behaviors.

• Findings in Children with Conduct Problems:

  • Beauchaine et al. summarize three studies focusing on children aged 4-18 with conduct issues. These studies reveal that these children display diminished sympathetic nervous system responses to rewards, indicating a lack of approach motivation.

  • By middle school, this reward insensitivity is coupled with poor vagal modulation of cardiac output, pointing towards deficits in emotion regulation.

• Implications for Early Intervention:

  • The research suggests a biosocial developmental model where inherited impulsivity is exacerbated by social reinforcement of emotional instability. This model highlights the importance of early intervention strategies that focus on emotion regulation and social reinforcement.

• Polyvagal Theory and Externalizing Psychopathology:

  • The integration of Polyvagal Theory with theories of social reinforcement and motivation helps clarify the etiological mechanisms behind various psychopathological patterns. This integration is vital for creating effective intervention points for serious externalizing behavior.

In summary, this research emphasizes the critical role of the polyvagal theory in understanding and addressing developmental psychopathology. By focusing on the autonomic nervous system's functioning in children with conduct problems, the study sheds light on the physiological aspects of emotion dysregulation and its impact on externalizing behaviors. The findings highlight the need for early intervention strategies that address both the physiological and social aspects of these behaviors.

In the context of polyvagal theory and its implications for antisocial behaviors, the role of the dorsal branch of the vagus nerve is particularly significant. Polyvagal theory, as elaborated by Stephen Porges, differentiates between two branches of the vagus nerve: the older dorsal motor nucleus (DMX) branch, also known as the "vegetative vagus," and the newer branch originating in the nucleus ambiguus (NA), often referred to as the "smart vagus."

Role of the Dorsal Vagus in Antisocial Behaviors:

• Dorsal Vagus and Metabolic Suppression:

  • The dorsal vagus is associated with the primary survival strategy of freezing in response to threats, as seen in primitive vertebrates. This branch functions to suppress metabolic demands under conditions of danger, effectively shutting down bodily responses.

• Relation to Antisocial Behaviors:

  • In the context of human behavior, particularly in antisocial behaviors, the activation of the dorsal vagus can lead to a state of disconnection or dissociation. This can manifest as a lack of responsive or adaptive social behaviors, contributing to an antisocial presentation.

  • Antisocial behaviors might be linked to a dominant dorsal vagal response where there is an overwhelming sense of threat or danger, leading to withdrawal, emotional numbing, or dissociation rather than adaptive social engagement.

• Contrast with Smart Vagus:

  • The smart vagus, in contrast, is responsible for modulating heart rate and metabolic output in the service of social affiliative behaviors. It supports engagement, attention, and calm states.

  • In individuals with predominant smart vagal activity, there is a better regulation of fight/flight responses, enabling more adaptive social behaviors.

• Implications for Intervention:

  • Understanding the role of the dorsal vagus in antisocial behaviors suggests that therapeutic interventions might focus on re-engaging the smart vagus. This can be achieved through techniques that promote safety, social engagement, and bodily regulation.

  • Activities that stimulate the smart vagus, such as deep breathing, social interaction, and positive affective experiences, could counteract the dissociative, withdrawn states induced by dorsal vagal dominance.

In summary, within the polyvagal framework, the dorsal vagus plays a critical role in antisocial behaviors through its function of metabolic suppression and dissociation in response to perceived threats. This contrasts with the smart vagus, which facilitates social engagement and adaptive responses. Therapeutic approaches that aim to stimulate the smart vagus could be effective in mitigating the impact of dorsal vagal dominance in individuals exhibiting antisocial behaviors.