[Emotional dysfunction, psychopathy and cognitive neuroscience. What is new and what are the consequences]

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.