Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

At what age can antisocial personality disorder be neurobiologically determined?

1. First year of life

2. First few months of life

3. At age two

4. At age five

The correct answer is: First few months of life

The appropriate age at which antisocial personality disorder can be neurobiologically determined is during the first few months of life. Research indicates that certain neurobiological factors, such as temperament and behavioral indicators, can be observed even in infancy. During the first few months, significant brain development occurs, and individual differences in temperament can begin to emerge. For instance, infants may display patterns of emotional regulation, impulsivity, and aggression, all of which are characteristics that can inform the later diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. Early indicators of difficulty in forming social connections or understanding social cues can also be noted at this stage, providing insight into potential predispositions toward this disorder. While development in later years, including age two and five, certainly can contribute to understanding or diagnosing the disorder, the groundwork for such conditions may already begin to manifest neurobiologically within the first few months of life. This foundational understanding helps in recognizing that antisocial personality disorder could have roots in early brain development and functioning.