Mc. Brower et Bh. Price, Neuropsychiatry of frontal lobe dysfunction in violent and criminal behaviour: a critical review, J NE NE PSY, 71(6), 2001, pp. 720-726
Objectives-To establish the link between frontal lobe dysfunction and viole
nt and criminal behaviour, based on a review of relevant literature.
Methods-Articles relating evidence of frontal lobe dysfunction with violenc
e or crime were collected through a MEDLINE search using the keyword "front
al lobe" combined with the terms "aggression," "violence," "crime," "antiso
cial personality disorder," "psychopathy," "impulse control disorders", and
"episodic dyscontrol." Reference lists were then searched for additional a
rticles.
Results-High rates of neuropsychiatric abnormalities reported in persons wi
th violent and criminal behaviour suggest an association between aggressive
dyscontrol and brain injury, especially involving the frontal lobes. The s
tudies reviewed support an association between frontal lobe dysfunction and
increased aggressive and antisocial behaviour. Focal orbitofrontal injury
is specifically associated with increased aggression. Deficits in frontal e
xecutive function may increase the likelihood of future aggression, but no
study has reliably demonstrated a characteristic pattern of frontal network
dysfunction predictive of violent crime.
Conclusions-Clinically significant focal frontal lobe dysfunction is associ
ated with aggressive dyscontrol, but the increased risk of violence seems l
ess than is widely presumed. Evidence is strongest for an association betwe
en focal prefrontal damage and an impulsive subtype of aggressive behaviour
.