Neuroimaging studies of antisocial behaviour.
OBJECTIVE
To review recent neuroimaging studies of antisocial behaviour, including criminality, psychopathy, sexual offending, aggression, and violence.


METHODS
Using OVID software, Psycinfo and Medline were searched for studies undertaken in the last 15 years. A brief outline of each technology is followed by a survey of published reports from refereed journals. Where indicated, critical appraisal is offered.


RESULTS
Converging evidence from multiple studies of structure and function indicates that abnormal prefrontal (and probably subcortical) circuitry are very likely involved in antisocial behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be aware of emerging findings from biological studies of antisociality. Future neuroimaging and other biologically based work, especially when combined with psychosocial initiatives, should yield fruit in attempts to better understand, treat, and prevent such socially devastating and destructive behaviour.
Bassarath
L
L
University of Toronto, Child Psychiatry Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario. lindley_bassarath@camh.net
D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed