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Scientists have long searched for a biological basis for psychopathy, a behavioral disorder attributed to chronic immorality. While previous studies have found no clear evidence, Professor Declan Murphy of the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College London believes he has found an area of the brain that is decidedly different in a psychopath as compared to a normal person.
It is unsurprising that much of the research to date has focused on the amygdala (the part of the brain involved with emotions and aggression) and the orbitofrontal cortex (which deals in decision making). However, an unstudied area is the uncinate fasciculus (UF), a white matter region that connects the amygdala and the orbitofrontal cortex. While the UF may not have a direct behavioral role, its dysfunction may lead to abnormalities in the areas which it connects.
Using a precise form of MRI, Murphy studied the brains of those labeled as psychopaths who had been convicted of crimes ranging from manslaughter to repeated rapes. The imaging found “a significant reduction in the integrity of the small particles that make up the structure of the UF of psychopaths, compared to control groups of people with the same age and IQ. Also, the degree of abnormality was significantly related to the degree of psychopathy.” [EurekAlert]
When discussions turn to psychopaths and sociopaths, talk of criminal proceedings cannot be far behind. While the study was small and has not been repeated, the mind immediately wanders to a court room where MRI evidence is given to support the conviction of someone on trial for mass murder. The controversy of the topic is likely to be heated. Could a jury be convinced with biological proof that a person’s brain is marked with the brand of a psychopath?
That day, however, is probably far in the future. Dr Michael Craig, co-author of the study, stated, “If replicated by larger studies the significance of these findings cannot be underestimated. The suggestion of a clear structural deficit in the brains of psychopaths has profound implications for clinicians, research scientists and the criminal justice system.” [EurekAlert]
This research was published in Molecular Psychiatry.
Comments
Can we use this to screen C-level executives and MBA candidates? Never mind run of the mill criminals, weeding out the psychopaths in the business world cause more good in the world than treating hundreds of what people normally think of as psychopaths.
I don't think the concern is that it would be used in a court room as evidence for conviction, rather as evidence at say parole hearings or when determining eligibility for certain rehabilitation programs. In which case I'd be all for, it would allow the already limited resources allotted rehabilitation programs to those it would actually benefit rather than those who are "hard wired" as psychopaths.
Hmmmm, we'd probably have very few surgeons left if we'd screen those.....
I'd be a little concerned about testing people & branding them before they had done anything wrong. Does the damage occur in normal law-abiding people?
...as I patiently wait for peer-review I wonder if long term captivity or profound attempts to change one's own behavior can visibly alter brain structure.
If used in court, would it really be for a conviction? Sounds more like a new form of insanity plea or at least an argument for a lighter sentence.
Your honor, my client should not face the death penalty. As you can see, he has no choice in who he is, his brain is simply wired for these kinds of actions...
I don't know or care if that would be a good thing or a b ad thing.
I agree with mu, seems more useful in everyday situations. Most people with psychopathic tendencies are not criminals but they can have a very unpleasant effect on social groups such as work places, especially if they are the boss. Maybe you could demand a non-psychopath-proof from your maybe-new boss as one of the terms for them hiring you? ;D
Politicians and executives typically score high on the psychopathy scale. It would be interesting to test some top executives and political leaders.
junk
I wonder if this abnormality is more prevalent in certain races?
Perhaps all men are not equal after all...
That's just like saying that a baby can be branded with "Moron" across their forehead before any evidence is presented.
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