Sexual sadism: brain, blood, and behavior.
The behavior of sadists is bizarre and poorly understood. There are gross endocrine and brain abnormalities in a small number of these men. Approximately two-fifths show subtle temporal lobe brain abnormalities that are logically linked to sexual behavior and require further exploration. It would be interesting to explore the interface of the endocrine system and the brain--that is, to determine if there are interactive processes that may be related to the development of sexual anomalies, perhaps early in life as suggested by Kolarsky et al. Certainly, biological factors cannot determine whether an individual will act on his sexual impulses. Many psychological factors, such as family background and substance abuse, play a significant role in the dangerousness of the individual. However, it appears that biological factors are noteworthy in sexual sadism. Brain pathology, especially, shows some correlation with force used in offences and likelihood of recidivism, and for this reason alone it merits further study.
Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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R
Langevin
J
J
Bain
G
G
Wortzman
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S
Hucker
R
R
Dickey
P
P
Wright
D000374:Aggression; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009289:Narcissism; D012448:Sadism; D012742:Sex Offenses; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014754:Violence