New Study Identifies Basis of Psychopathy of Brain

The structure and function of the brain areas involved in emotions and their regulation are modified in psychopathic criminal offenders and individuals with personality traits.

The structure and function of the brain areas involved in emotions and their regulation are modified in psychopathic criminal offenders and individuals with personality traits, as per the Finnish study published in the journal Cerebral Cortex.

It is possible that the characteristics related to psychopathy form a continuum where only the extreme characteristics lead to violent and criminal behaviour.

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The study of Turku PET Centre, Karolinska Institutet, and Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners in Finland examined the brain structure and function in psychopathic prisoners and healthy volunteers. Brain structure was measured with magnetic resonance imaging.

The participants also viewed violent and non-violent films while their brain activity was monitored with functional magnetic resonance imaging.

In psychopathic criminal offenders, the density of the brain areas involved in cognitive control and emotion regulation was compromised. When viewing violent films, these areas showed stronger reactions in psychopaths.

In a large sample of healthy control participants, psychopathy-related traits were associated in similar changes in brain structure and function: The more psychopathic characteristics a person had, the more their brain resembled the brains of psychopathic criminals, explains Professor Lauri Nummenmaa from Turku PET Centre at the University of Turku, Finland.

Structural and functional changes in the brain were focused in the areas involved in emotions and their regulation. The changes in the activity and structure of these areas can explain the callousness and impulsiveness associated with psychopathy, says Professor Jari Tiihonen from the Karolinska Institutet.

The study concluded that the degree of psychopathic characteristics varies even in the general population. For about one percent of the population, psychopathy is so strong that it may lead to criminal and violent behaviour, notes Chief Psychiatrist and Docent Hannu Lauerma from the Psychiatric Hospital for Prisoners in Finland.

Studying prisoners provide critical information about the neurobiology of violence and aggression. The study funded by the Academy of Finland, Sigrid Jusélius Foundation, the European Research Council (ERC), and Valon Vuoksi Foundation.

Source-Medindia