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Emotionale Dysfunktion, Psychopathie und kognitive Neurowissenschaft

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Emotional dysfunction and antisocial personality disorders

A review of findings in cognitive neuroscience

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Zusammenfassung

In diesem Artikel werden die aktuellen Erkenntnisse der kognitiven Neurowissenschaften bei antisozialen Persönlichkeitsstörungen dargestellt. Es zeigt sich, dass sich innerhalb des Spektrums dieser Erkrankungen beim Subtyp der Psychopathie emotionale Dysfunktionen sowohl im Verhalten als auch in strukturellen und funktionellen Aspekten der Hirnorganisation belegen lassen. Zwar sind die Befunde in der Zusammenschau noch sehr heterogen. Dennoch spielen die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse bei den Diskussionen um die Schuldfähigkeit bei Psychopathie faktisch schon heute eine Rolle. Dabei auftretende Fehlschlüsse werden korrigiert, und es wird dafür plädiert, die Diskussion über die Bedeutung emotionaler Faktoren bei der Beurteilung der Schuldfähigkeit zu eröffnen.

Summary

This article provides a review of recent findings in the cognitive neurosciences on antisocial personality disorders. There is accumulating evidence that the subtype of psychopathy is characterized by emotional dysfunction not only on the behavioral level but also by structural and functional abnormalities of the brain. Although the findings are not yet conclusive, they are already being discussed controversially with respect to the question of accountability of persons with psychopathy. False conclusions dominating these considerations are discussed and corrected. The findings open a new discussion of the relevance of emotional function and dysfunction for accountability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Psychiatrie III, Universitätsklinikum Ulm

    H. Walter

  2. Abt. Psychiatrie III, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Leimgrubenweg 12, 89075, Ulm, Deutschland

    H. Walter

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Walter, H. Emotionale Dysfunktion, Psychopathie und kognitive Neurowissenschaft . Nervenarzt 76, 557–568 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-004-1817-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00115-004-1817-1

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