A cognitive neuroscience perspective on psychopathy: evidence for paralimbic system dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Psychopathy is a complex personality disorder with known interpersonal, affective, and behavioral features.
• While psychopathy assessment is established, its underlying brain disturbances remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and integrate current data on brain disturbances associated with psychopathy.
• To propose a functional neuroanatomy model of psychopathy centered on the paralimbic system.

Main Methods:

• Integration of data from studies on focal brain lesions.
• Review of findings from psychophysiology, cognitive psychology, and affective neuroscience.
• Synthesis of research in both healthy individuals and those with psychopathy.

Main Results:

• Identified key brain regions implicated in psychopathy: orbital frontal cortex, insula, cingulate cortex, amygdala, parahippocampal gyrus, and superior temporal gyrus.
• These regions collectively form the paralimbic system.
• Evidence suggests dysfunction within this paralimbic system is central to psychopathy.

Conclusions:

• The paralimbic system dysfunction model provides a framework for understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of psychopathy.
• Further research into the paralimbic system is crucial for advancing our comprehension and treatment of psychopathy.