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Neurobiologie der pädophilen Störung – eine methodenkritische Darstellung bisheriger Forschungsergebnisse

Neurobiology of pedophilia – a critical review of present findings and paradigms

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Abstract

The question according to the causes of pedophilia is of high social relevance. During recent years, the investigation of neurobiological correlates of pedophilia comes increasingly to the forefront of forensic research. Meanwhile there are some investigations to possible neurobiological causes of pedophilia, however, the results are still very heterogeneous. On the basis of lesion studies, EEG studies and studies using modern imaging techniques, the present knowledge is shown in this article. In doing so, special attention is laid on the methodical difficulties in this field of research and possible ways for overcoming these are discussed. We discuss neurobiological models of pedophilia as well as their supporting empirical data. Considering some substantially methodical principles, neurobiological research, in particular research using modern imaging techniques, offers high potential for the development of new explanation models for the etiology of pedophilia.

Zusammenfassung

Die Frage nach den Ursachen einer pädophilen Störung besitzt hohe gesellschaftliche Relevanz. Zunehmend rückt dabei auch die Untersuchung neurobiologischer Korrelate einer Pädophilie in den Blickpunkt der forensischen Forschung. Mittlerweile existieren einige Untersuchungen zu möglichen neurobiologischen Ursachen einer pädophilen Störung, doch stellen sich die Forschungsergebnisse als sehr heterogen dar. Anhand von Läsionsstudien, EEG-Untersuchungen und Untersuchungen mit modernen bildgebenden Verfahren werden die bisherigen Erkenntnisse dargestellt. Besonderes Augenmerk wird dabei auf die methodischen Schwierigkeiten in diesem Forschungsfeld gelegt, mögliche Wege zu deren Überwindung werden diskutiert. Auf neurobiologische Störungsmodelle der Pädophilie wird ebenso eingegangen wie auf den aktuellen Stand der empirischen Daten, die diese Modelle stützen. Unter Beachtung einiger wesentlicher methodischer Prinzipien besitzt die neurobiologische Forschung im Bereich der Pädophilie, insbesondere unter Anwendung der neuen bildgebenden Verfahren, ein großes Potential für die Entwicklung ätiologischer Erklärungsmodelle.

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  1. Abteilung für Forensische Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universität Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075, Göttingen, Deutschland

    Peter Fromberger,  Martin Krippl,  Georg Stolpmann &  Jürgen L. Müller

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  1. Peter Fromberger
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  2. Martin Krippl
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  4. Jürgen L. Müller
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Correspondence to Peter Fromberger.

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Fromberger, P., Krippl, M., Stolpmann, G. et al. Neurobiologie der pädophilen Störung – eine methodenkritische Darstellung bisheriger Forschungsergebnisse. Forens Psychiatr Psychol Kriminol 1, 249–258 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11757-007-0041-9

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