title: Neuropsychology of perpetrators of domestic violence: the role of traumatic brain injury and alcohol abuse and/or dependence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuropsychological impairments of the executive functions, memory, attention, intelligence quotient, and empathy have been found in perpetrators of domestic violence (intimate partner violence). These impairments could be partially explained by alcohol abuse, dependence, or traumatic brain injuries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study reviews the neuropsychological deficits of perpetrators of intimate partner violence. At the same it seeks to integrate and relate these main points with their neuroanatomical correlates. We have also established the relationship between alcohol abuse, dependence, brain damage (including traumatic brain injuries) and those deficits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scientific literature has been reviewed by means of Google Scholar, PsycINFO, PubMed, Medline and ISI Web of Knowledge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perpetrators of domestic violence present high mental rigidity, as well as low levels of inhibition, processing speed, verbal and attention skills, and abstract reasoning. Additionally, perpetrators show working and long play memory impairments. Moreover, those deficits could be impaired by traumatic brain injuries and alcohol abuse and/or dependence. Nonetheless, these both variables are not enough to explain the deficits. Functional abnormalities on the prefrontal and occipital cortex, fusiform gyrus, posterior cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, thalamus and amygdala could be associated with these impairments. An analysis of these mechanisms may assist in the development of neuropsychological rehabilitation programmes that could help improve current therapies.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Valencia, 46071 Valencia, Espana.
authors.forename: Ángel
authors.initials: Á
authors.lastname: Romero-Martínez
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moya-Albiol
mesh_terms: D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D057237:Criminals; D003657:Decision Making; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D056344:Executive Function; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D007360:Intelligence; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D008960:Models, Psychological; D059906:Neuroimaging; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests