Distinct Event-Related-Potential Biomarkers of Broad Versus Specific Dimensions of the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology Externalizing Spectrum
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) provides a dimensional framework for connecting psychological disorders to neural systems/processes. We examined how neurophysiological measures of cognitive-attentional (oddball P300) and perceptual-emotional processing (fear-face N170/P200) relate to dimensions of the HiTOP externalizing spectrum. Employing 666 community participants, we fit a model in which antagonistic externalizing and substance problems subfactors, defined via symptom and questionnaire-scale measures, loaded with a disinhibitory trait scale onto a higher-order externalizing factor. Hierarchical regression was used to evaluate how much observed relations of each neural measure with the two subfactors reflected their unique variance versus their covariance (reflected in the general factor). P300's relations were fully accounted for by the general factor, suggesting that impaired cognitive processing characterizes broad risk for externalizing problems. Neural indicators of sensitivity to others' distress (N170, P200) were uniquely related to antagonistic externalizing. Findings highlight the HiTOP framework's potential to advance biobehavioral understanding of psychopathology.
Source: Clinical Psychological Science
Authors: Christopher J. Patrick, Pablo Ribes-Guardiola, Bruce D. Bartholow, Alexander M. Kallen, Emily R. Perkins, Robert F. Krueger, Colin G. DeYoung, Roman Kotov, Rita Pasion, Sylia Wilson, James R. Yancey, Sarah J. Brislin, Sally L. Cole, David C. Cicero, Christopher Conway, Miriam K. Forbes, Jeremy Harper, Brian M. Hicks, Christopher J. Hopwood, William G. Iacono, Katherine G. Jonas, Antonia Kaczkurkin, Robert D. Latzman, Kristian E. Markon, Elizabeth A. Martin, Giorgia Michelini, Lindsay D. Nelson, Jonathan Schaefer, Martin Sellbom, Noah C. Venables, Irwin D. Waldman, Aidan G. C. Wright, David H. Zald, Keanan J. Joyner
Institutions: Florida State University, Universitat de València, University of Iowa, University of Pennsylvania, University of Minnesota, Stony Brook University, Universidade Lusófona, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Salt Lake City Healthcare System, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, University of North Texas, Fordham University, Macquarie University, University of Michigan, University of Zurich, Vanderbilt University, University of California, Irvine, Queen Mary University of London, Medical College of Wisconsin, Monash University, Emory University, University of California, Berkeley
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: Center for the Study of Emotion and Attention, Trait Fear and Disinhibition in Impulse Control Disorders, A rigorous test of dual process model predictions for problematic alcohol involvement, Integrative Pathways to Health and Illness, Determining the Contributions of Four AARDoC Functional Domains to the Etiology of Heavy Drinking and AUD Symptoms: A Prospective, Multimodal Approach
OpenAlex ID: W7127198766