The amygdala, part of the limbic system, is responsible for the information processing of fearful stimuli and mentally associating behavior with punishment. Because individuals with ODD have deficits in conditioning, it is thought that impaired functioning of the amygdala is correlated with deficits in processing of fearful stimuli. Studies have found reductions in gray matter in a variety of brain regions when comparing ODD patients to control groups. Additionally, fMRI studies reveal similar results which confirm an association exists between amygdala functioning and disruptive behavior disorders. 



Decreased Amygdala functioning in Patients with ODD, Alone


Patients with comorbid ADHD show increased activity in the amygdala and this has been confirmed in multiple studies when using sadism scores. For example, patients with ODD and ADHD display happiness when seeing pain being inflicted on others. Additionally, enhanced activation is also seen when observing experimental and control groups responses of negative pictures. 



Enhanced Amygdala Activity was observed in Patients with ODD and comorbid ADHD


Arizona State University

Reduced cortisol reactivity has been found in people with ODD. In other words, people with ODD do not display stress when encountering stressful situations. This could also be connected to decreased information processing that normally triggers cognitive-emotional reactions. 

Stress mechanisms (HPA axis) and ODD



Matthys, Vanderschuren, L. J. M. J., & Schutter, D. J. L. G. (2013). The neurobiology of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder: Altered functioning in three mental domains. Development and Psychopathology, 25(1), 193–207. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579412000272

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