title: An analysis of regional cerebral blood flow in impulsive murderers using single photon emission computed tomography.
abstract: The authors explored differences in regional cerebral blood flow in 11 impulsive murderers and 11 healthy comparison subjects using single photon emission computed tomography. The authors assessed subjects at rest and during a computerized go/no-go concentration task. Using statistical parametric mapping software, the authors performed voxel-by-voxel t tests to assess significant differences, making family-wide error corrections for multiple comparisons. Murderers were found to have significantly lower relative rCBF during concentration, particularly in areas associated with concentration and impulse control. These results indicate that nonemotionally laden stimuli may result in frontotemporal dysregulation in people predisposed to impulsive violence.
authors.affiliation: Amen Clinics, Inc., Newport Beach, California, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Amen
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hanks
authors.forename: Jill R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Prunella
authors.forename: Aisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002560:Cerebrovascular Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007175:Impulsive Behavior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon