Impulsivity Influenced by Brain Connectivity in Children

Are you an impulsive person? Chances are, your brain may be producing stimuli that explains some of these uncontrollable actions.

According to a recent study published in the journal the Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, researchers from the University of Murica in Spain found that certain brain changes could be the cause for hasty actions.

"Impulsiveness is a risk factor for the development of serious behavioral problems," said lead study author Luis J. Fuentes, via Medical Xpress. "Among the children with a typical development, we can observe individual differences in their interaction with the environment."

For the study, researchers examined 24 children and ranked them according to levels of impulsivity based on survey answers that parents provided. They also used neuroimaging techniques to compare the children's brains and to more properly observe any patterns between brain connectivity and impulsiveness.

"We can confirm that the greater the level of impulsiveness in the children, the greater the alteration in the connections between the posterior cingulate cortex and the right angular gyrus, which is also observed in people with antisocial behavior; and other cerebral areas that are usually activated when performing given cognitive tasks," Fuentes added. 

Findings revealed that studying this link helped to predict children's risk of developing certain behavioral problems. Fortunately, identifying the issue early on could help doctors better determine effective treatments to reduce issues related to certain behavioral problems influenced by impulsivity.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the study "Brain functional connectivity changes in children that differ in impulsivity temperamental trait."