Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the neurobiological base of aggression and antisocial behavior by identifying brain networks that show structural alterations in individuals exhibiting psychopathic traits. A study published in the European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience has pinpointed areas of reduced brain volume, including parts of the basal ganglia, thalamus, brainstem, cerebellum, orbitofrontal, and insular regions.
The research team compared MRI data from 39 adult male participants diagnosed with psychopathy to a group of control subjects. They found that higher scores in the “lifestyle and antisocial behavior” category were associated with lower volumes in several brain areas. These reductions suggest that parts of the brain involved in controlling behavior might not be functioning properly in individuals with psychopathy.
In contrast, associations with traits like pathological lying and a lack of empathy were less consistent. However, group comparisons revealed a significant reduction in total brain volume in the psychopathy group compared to the control group. The study’s findings indicate that there may be a strong neurobiological link between antisocial behavior and reduced brain volume across widespread regions.
The researchers acknowledge certain limitations to their study, including differences in MRI scanners and varying cognitive capacity among participants. However, their findings mark an important advancement in understanding the neurobiological factors linked to aggression. Future research could explore whether these structural differences may be inherited or influenced by environmental factors.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/neuroscientists-reveal-brain-psychopath-differ-2092413