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Reduced frontotemporal perfusion in psychopathic personality
Henrik Soderstrom1, Leif Hultin, Mats Tullberg
1Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. henrik.soderstrom@rmv.se
Psychiatry Research
|May 31, 2002
Summary
Violent offenders show reduced frontal and temporal brain activity, particularly linked to interpersonal psychopathy traits. This suggests abnormal brain function may contribute to violent behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Forensic Psychology
Background:
- Previous brain imaging studies link frontal and temporal lobe dysfunction to violent offending.
- Prior research identified decreased frontotemporal perfusion in violent offenders, independent of confounding factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and psychopathy traits in violent offenders.
- To explore correlations between specific psychopathy dimensions and frontotemporal perfusion.
Main Methods:
- Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was assessed using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with technetium-99m-d,l-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (HMPAO).
- SPECT scans were fused with magnetic resonance images (MRI) to define regions of interest (ROIs).
- 32 violent offenders' rCBF was compared to scores on the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R).
Main Results:
- Significant negative correlations were observed between interpersonal psychopathy features (Factor 1) and frontal/temporal lobe perfusion.
- The strongest associations were found with the head of the caudate nuclei and hippocampi.
- These correlations persisted even when controlling for environmental factors.
Conclusions:
- Aberrant frontotemporal activity, especially in the caudate nuclei and hippocampi, is associated with interpersonal aspects of psychopathy in violent offenders.
- These findings support the hypothesis that impaired frontotemporal function contributes to violent behavior.
- The study controlled for state-related confounders by examining offenders under similar living conditions.