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Brain abnormalities in antisocial, psychopathic individuals

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Netherlands journal of psychology

Abstract

Since the 19th century it has been speculated that structural and functional impairment of the prefrontal cortex predisposes to antisocial, psychopathic behaviour, but it is only in the last few years that brain imaging research has been utilised to scientifically test this hypothesis. This review summarises findings from brain imaging research on antisocial, psychopathic, and aggressive individuals. It is concluded that impairments in a frontal-temporal circuit (i.e. the ventral and lateral regions of the prefrontal cortex, superior temporal gyrus, amygdala-hippocampal complex, and the anterior cingulate cortex) may be associated with antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy. It is hypothesised that abnormalities in frontal-temporal-subcortical circuits may contribute, at least in part, to antisocial and psychopathic features including poor inhibitory control, reward dominance, lack of remorse, fearlessness, shallow affect, and impaired moral judgment. Studies with larger and more homogeneous antisocial groups are needed to further examine this hypothesis. (Netherlands Journal of Psychology, 63, 156-165.)

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  1. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Programme, University of Southern California, Southern California, USA

    Yaling Yang

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  1. Yaling Yang
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Correspondence to: A. Raine

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Programme

University of Southern California

USA

e-mail: araine@sas.upenn.edu

Submitted 12 April 2007; revision accepted 30 July 2007.

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Yang, Y., Raine, A. Brain abnormalities in antisocial, psychopathic individuals. NEJP 63, 143–151 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03061077

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