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LeMay CC, Stinson JD. Persons With Histories of Traumatic Brain Injury and Problematic Sexual Behavior: An Exploratory Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OFFENDER THERAPY AND COMPARATIVE CRIMINOLOGY 2024; 68:183-206. [PMID: 34963350 DOI: 10.1177/0306624x211066831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Persons with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) who have engaged in problematic or illegal sexual behavior present with complex assessment and intervention needs yet remain understudied within the empirical literature. In the current exploratory analysis, important differences in adaptive and clinical functioning, adverse childhood experiences, and criminal offense history are examined in 25 persons with previous brain injury, 118 persons with intellectual disability but no known TBI, and 103 persons with no history of brain injury or intellectual disability, all of whom have engaged in problematic sexual behavior and who were residing in secure forensic inpatient care. Group differences were examined using comparisons of means and chi-squares. Results highlight important differences in education and employment experiences, diagnostic presentation, exposure to childhood maltreatment, and justice system involvement and characteristics of their sexual offense victims. Associations with prior literature and future research directions are discussed.
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Scarpazza C, Costa C, Battaglia U, Berryessa C, Bianchetti ML, Caggiu I, Devinsky O, Ferracuti S, Focquaert F, Forgione A, Gilbert F, Pennati A, Pietrini P, Rainero I, Sartori G, Swerdlow R, Camperio Ciani AS. Acquired Pedophilia: international Delphi-method-based consensus guidelines. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:11. [PMID: 36653356 PMCID: PMC9849353 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02314-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic and acquired pedophilia are two different disorders with two different etiologies. However, the differential diagnosis is still very difficult, as the behavioral indicators used to discriminate the two forms of pedophilia are underexplored, and clinicians are still devoid of clear guidelines describing the clinical and neuroscientific investigations suggested to help them with this difficult task. Furthermore, the consequences of misdiagnosis are not known, and a consensus regarding the legal consequences for the two kinds of offenders is still lacking. The present study used the Delphi method to reach a global consensus on the following six topics: behavioral indicators/red flags helpful for differential diagnosis; neurological conditions potentially leading to acquired pedophilia; neuroscientific investigations important for a correct understanding of the case; consequences of misdiagnosis; legal consequences; and issues and future perspectives. An international and multidisciplinary board of scientists and clinicians took part in the consensus statements as Delphi members. The Delphi panel comprised 52 raters with interdisciplinary competencies, including neurologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, forensic psychologists, expert in ethics, etc. The final recommendations consisted of 63 statements covering the six different topics. The current study is the first expert consensus on a delicate topic such as pedophilia. Important exploitable consensual recommendations that can ultimately be of immediate use by clinicians to help with differential diagnosis and plan and guide therapeutic interventions are described, as well as future perspectives for researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Scarpazza
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. .,Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padova, Padova, Italy. .,IRCCS S. Camillo Hospital, Venezia, Italy.
| | - Cristiano Costa
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padova, Padova, Italy ,grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Umberto Battaglia
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Applied Psychology, FISPPA – University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Colleen Berryessa
- grid.430387.b0000 0004 1936 8796School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ USA
| | - Maria Lucia Bianchetti
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Ilenia Caggiu
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- grid.137628.90000 0004 1936 8753Epilepsy Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Stefano Ferracuti
- grid.7841.aDepartment of Human Neurosciences Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Farah Focquaert
- grid.5342.00000 0001 2069 7798Bioethics Institute Ghent, Department of Philosophy and Moral Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Arianna Forgione
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Fredric Gilbert
- grid.1009.80000 0004 1936 826XEthics, Policy & Public Engagement (EPPE) ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES), Faculty of Arts, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | | | - Pietro Pietrini
- grid.462365.00000 0004 1790 9464IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca, Italy
| | - Innocenzo Rainero
- grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Neurology I, Department of Neuroscience “Rita Levi Montalcini”, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sartori
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Russell Swerdlow
- grid.412016.00000 0001 2177 6375University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS USA
| | - Andrea S. Camperio Ciani
- grid.5608.b0000 0004 1757 3470Department of Applied Psychology, FISPPA – University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Boschetti A, Camperio Ciani A, Scarpazza C. Sexual offenses and the brain. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2023; 197:161-179. [PMID: 37633708 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-821375-9.00017-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
Sexual offenses are a great concern worldwide due to the devastating physical and psychological consequences the victims of such crimes often experience. It is an important task to investigate potential mechanisms that may underlie sexual offending and predispose an individual for such antisocial behavior. Advanced techniques in neuroscience are increasingly used to uncover biomarkers in psychiatric disorders and organic brain disease. As this type of research is flourishing, preliminary studies with the aim to explore the neural basis of sex offenders have started to appear. To this purpose, researchers began to study the brain's structural and functional changes and the neurocognitive profiles of sex offenders, in comparison to nonoffenders and nonsex offenders, or among different subtypes of sex offenders. Most of the research to date has focused on pedophilia, with some inconsistent findings, which hampers the translation of the results into the forensic and clinical context. Any attempt to increase convergent evidence may profit from the harmonization of data analysis and avoidance of methodological inconsistencies, which can account for the different results across studies. Today, uncovering the neural basis of sex offences has to become a priority, not only for clinical interventions, but might also be important knowledge for crime prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Boschetti
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Andrea Camperio Ciani
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Cristina Scarpazza
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy; Translational Cognitive and NeuroImaging Lab, IRCCS Camillo Hospital, Venice, Italy.
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Popovic D, Wertz M, Geisler C, Kaufmann J, Lähteenvuo M, Lieslehto J, Witzel J, Bogerts B, Walter M, Falkai P, Koutsouleris N, Schiltz K. Patterns of risk-Using machine learning and structural neuroimaging to identify pedophilic offenders. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1001085. [PMID: 37151966 PMCID: PMC10157073 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1001085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Child sexual abuse (CSA) has become a focal point for lawmakers, law enforcement, and mental health professionals. With high prevalence rates around the world and far-reaching, often chronic, individual, and societal implications, CSA and its leading risk factor, pedophilia, have been well investigated. This has led to a wide range of clinical tools and actuarial instruments for diagnosis and risk assessment regarding CSA. However, the neurobiological underpinnings of pedosexual behavior, specifically regarding hands-on pedophilic offenders (PO), remain elusive. Such biomarkers for PO individuals could potentially improve the early detection of high-risk PO individuals and enhance efforts to prevent future CSA. Aim To use machine learning and MRI data to identify PO individuals. Methods From a single-center male cohort of 14 PO individuals and 15 matched healthy control (HC) individuals, we acquired diffusion tensor imaging data (anisotropy, diffusivity, and fiber tracking) in literature-based regions of interest (prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, amygdala, and corpus callosum). We trained a linear support vector machine to discriminate between PO and HC individuals using these WM microstructure data. Post hoc, we investigated the PO model decision scores with respect to sociodemographic (age, education, and IQ) and forensic characteristics (psychopathy, sexual deviance, and future risk of sexual violence) in the PO subpopulation. We assessed model specificity in an external cohort of 53 HC individuals. Results The classifier discriminated PO from HC individuals with a balanced accuracy of 75.5% (sensitivity = 64.3%, specificity = 86.7%, P 5000 = 0.018) and an out-of-sample specificity to correctly identify HC individuals of 94.3%. The predictive brain pattern contained bilateral fractional anisotropy in the anterior cingulate cortex, diffusivity in the left amygdala, and structural prefrontal cortex-amygdala connectivity in both hemispheres. This brain pattern was associated with the number of previous child victims, the current stance on sexuality, and the professionally assessed risk of future sexual violent reoffending. Conclusion Aberrant white matter microstructure in the prefronto-temporo-limbic circuit could be a potential neurobiological correlate for PO individuals at high-risk of reoffending with CSA. Although preliminary and exploratory at this point, our findings highlight the general potential of MRI-based biomarkers and particularly WM microstructure patterns for future CSA risk assessment and preventive efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Popovic
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: David Popovic,
| | - Maximilian Wertz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Carolin Geisler
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joern Kaufmann
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Markku Lähteenvuo
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Eastern Finland, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Institute for Molecular Medicine FIMM, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johannes Lieslehto
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Eastern Finland, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Joachim Witzel
- Central State Forensic Psychiatric Hospital of Saxony-Anhalt, Uchtspringe, Germany
| | - Bernhard Bogerts
- Salus Institut, Salus gGmbH, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Koutsouleris
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry (IMPRS-TP), Munich, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kolja Schiltz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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Lievesley R, Swaby H, Harper CA, Woodward E. Primary Health Professionals' Beliefs, Experiences, and Willingness to Treat Minor-Attracted Persons. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:923-943. [PMID: 35084616 PMCID: PMC8793822 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02271-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
There is a desire and need among minor-attracted persons (MAPs) to access support within the community, and this often begins with an approach to healthcare providers working in general medical/mental health settings. However, little is known about the experiences of these non-specialist professionals in relation to their beliefs, knowledge, and decision-making processes when working with patients who disclose sexual attractions to children. Using an online survey, this study explored the knowledge, comfort, competence, and treatment willingness of 220 non-specialist healthcare providers when faced with patients who disclose sexual attractions to children. We investigated how often such disclosures were made, clinician stigma, treatment priorities, and professionals' willingness to report MAPs to external agencies because of their sexual attractions. Some key differences were found when comparing primary medical vs. mental health professionals, including increased likelihood to view MAPs as dangerous, unable to control behaviors and that sexual attractions are an avoidable choice, in the former group. Both groups prioritized mental health treatment targets above controlling attractions and living with stigmatized attractions, although controlling or changing attractions were still relatively high priorities. Results indicated a need for further training, focusing on increasing comfort around working with MAPs, as this was associated with a greater willingness to work with this group. We identify current gaps in service provision for MAPs seeking professional support and discuss recommendations for professional training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Lievesley
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK.
| | - Helen Swaby
- Department of Counselling, Bishop Grosseteste University, Lincoln, UK
| | - Craig A Harper
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK
| | - Ellie Woodward
- Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, 50 Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, NG1 4FQ, UK
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6
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Klöckner MS, Jordan K, Kiehl KA, Nyalakanti PK, Harenski CL, Müller JL. Widespread and interrelated gray matter reductions in child sexual offenders with and without pedophilia: Evidence from a multivariate structural MRI study. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2021; 75:331-340. [PMID: 34346537 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM To further investigate the neuroanatomical correlates of child sexual offending and disentangle them from the neural correlates of pedophilia, using a multivariate analytical approach in order to minimize loss of statistical power. METHODS This study presents structural MRI data on gray matter in an incarcerated, male population of 22 pedophilic and 21 non-pedophilic child sexual offenders, and 20 violent non-sexual offender controls, based on a multivariate whole-brain approach using source-based morphometry. RESULTS We identify a network of several neuroanatomical regions exhibiting interrelated reduced gray matter in both child sexual offender groups relative to controls, comprising extensive clusters in the bilateral cerebellum and frontal lobe, as well as smaller clusters in the bilateral parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, the bilateral basal ganglia, the medial cingulate and the hippocampus. CONCLUSION Our results speak to the interpretation that there are inter- and possibly connectivity-related brain structural abnormalities in child sexual offenders that are not (only) pertaining to pedophilia per se. Interpretations and limitations of the present data are discussed and recommendations for future works are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona S Klöckner
- Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Research Department Transnational Politics, Peace Research Institute Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kirsten Jordan
- Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kent A Kiehl
- The Mind Research Network & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.,Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Prashanth K Nyalakanti
- The Mind Research Network & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Carla L Harenski
- The Mind Research Network & Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Jürgen L Müller
- Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Abé C, Adebahr R, Liberg B, Mannfolk C, Lebedev A, Eriksson J, Långström N, Rahm C. Brain structure and clinical profile point to neurodevelopmental factors involved in pedophilic disorder. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2021; 143:363-374. [PMID: 33355922 PMCID: PMC7986195 DOI: 10.1111/acps.13273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pedophilic disorder (PD) is characterized bypersistent, intense sexual attraction to prepubertal children that the individual has acted on, or causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty. Although prior research suggests that PD has neurodevelopmental underpinnings, the evidence remains sparse. To aid the understanding of etiology and treatment development, we quantified neurobiological and clinical correlates of PD. METHOD We compared 55 self-referred, help-seeking, non-forensic male patients with DSM-5 PD with 57 age-matched, healthy male controls (HC) on clinical, neuropsychological, and structural brain imaging measures (cortical thickness and surface area, subcortical and white matter volumes). Structural brain measures were related to markers for aberrant neurodevelopment including IQ, and the 2nd to 4th digit ratio (2D:4D). RESULTS PD was associated with psychiatric disorder comorbidity and ADHD and autism spectrum disorder symptoms. PD patients had lower total IQ than HC. PD individuals exhibited cortical surface area abnormalities in regions belonging to the brain's default mode network and showed abnormal volume of white matter underlying those regions. PD subjects had smaller hippocampi and nuclei accumbens than HC. Findings were not related to history of child-related sexual offending. IQ correlated negatively with global expression of PD-related brain features and 2D:4D correlated with surface area in PD. CONCLUSIONS In the largest single-center study to date, we delineate psychiatric comorbidity, neurobiological and cognitive correlates of PD. Our morphometric findings, their associations with markers of aberrant neurodevelopment, and psychiatric comorbidities suggest that neurodevelopmental mechanisms are involved in PD. The findings may need consideration in future development of clinical management of PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Abé
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Roberth Adebahr
- ANOVAKarolinska University HospitalStockholmSweden,Department of Clinical Sciences (Psychiatry)Umeå UniversityUmeåSweden
| | - Benny Liberg
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Christian Mannfolk
- Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska Institutet, and Stockholm Health Care ServicesStockholmSweden
| | - Alexander Lebedev
- Department of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | | | - Niklas Långström
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden,National Board of Health & WelfareStockholmSweden
| | - Christoffer Rahm
- Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Clinical NeuroscienceKarolinska Institutet, and Stockholm Health Care ServicesStockholmSweden
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Scarpazza C, Finos L, Genon S, Masiero L, Bortolato E, Cavaliere C, Pezzaioli J, Monaro M, Navarin N, Battaglia U, Pietrini P, Ferracuti S, Sartori G, Camperio Ciani AS. Idiopathic and acquired pedophilia as two distinct disorders: an insight from neuroimaging. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:2681-2692. [PMID: 33507519 PMCID: PMC8500885 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00442-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Pedophilia is a disorder of public concern because of its association with child sexual offense and recidivism. Previous neuroimaging studies of potential brain abnormalities underlying pedophilic behavior, either in idiopathic or acquired (i.e., emerging following brain damages) pedophilia, led to inconsistent results. This study sought to explore the neural underpinnings of pedophilic behavior and to determine the extent to which brain alterations may be related to distinct psychopathological features in pedophilia. To this aim, we run a coordinate based meta-analysis on previously published papers reporting whole brain analysis and a lesion network analysis, using brain lesions as seeds in a resting state connectivity analysis. The behavioral profiling approach was applied to link identified regions with the corresponding psychological processes. While no consistent neuroanatomical alterations were identified in idiopathic pedophilia, the current results support that all the lesions causing acquired pedophilia are localized within a shared resting state network that included posterior midlines structures, right inferior temporal gyrus and bilateral orbitofrontal cortex. These regions are associated with action inhibition and social cognition, abilities that are consistently and severely impaired in acquired pedophiles. This study suggests that idiopathic and acquired pedophilia may be two distinct disorders, in line with their distinctive clinical features, including age of onset, reversibility and modus operandi. Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of pedophilic behavior may contribute to a more comprehensive characterization of these individuals on a clinical ground, a pivotal step forward for the development of more efficient therapeutic rehabilitation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Scarpazza
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 25131, Padova, PD, Italy. .,Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Livio Finos
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sarah Genon
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain and Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Laura Masiero
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Bortolato
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Camilla Cavaliere
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Jessica Pezzaioli
- Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Merylin Monaro
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 25131, Padova, PD, Italy
| | - Nicolò Navarin
- Department of Mathematics "Tullio Levi-Civita", University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Umberto Battaglia
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Pietro Pietrini
- Molecular Mind Lab, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Lucca, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferracuti
- Department of Human Neurosciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Sartori
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Via Venezia 8, 25131, Padova, PD, Italy
| | - Andrea S Camperio Ciani
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Kirk-Provencher KT, Nelson-Aguiar RJ, Spillane NS. Neuroanatomical Differences Among Sexual Offenders: A Targeted Review with Limitations and Implications for Future Directions. VIOLENCE AND GENDER 2020; 7:86-97. [PMID: 32939353 PMCID: PMC7488205 DOI: 10.1089/vio.2019.0051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As sexual assault and child sexual abuse continue to be worldwide public health concerns, research has continued to explore factors associated with sexual offending. Structural and functional neuroanatomical brain differences have been examined in an effort to differentiate sexual offenders and their behavior. This targeted review searched PubMed and Google Scholar for empirical studies using brain imaging techniques to examine possible structural or functional differences among control groups compared with at least one group of sexual offenders with contact offenses. This targeted review summarizes the structural and functional findings of 15 brain imaging studies (i.e., computed tomography, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and functional magnetic resonance imaging), which suggest possible differences in brain size and gray matter volume, cortical thickness, white matter connectivity, and specific structural and functional differences among brain regions (fronto-temporal region, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, etc.). The methodological limitations of brain imaging studies and the associated findings with regard to sexual offenders are highlighted, as research indicates that many of the proposed differences in brain structure and function are not unique to this population. We further highlight several limitations to using neuroimaging studies to examine this population of interest, including publication bias, small sample size, underpowered studies, and all-male samples. As these results are mixed and findings are not seemingly unique to sexual offenders, we suggest future sexual offender research may benefit from focusing on more financially feasible options, such as neuropsychological assessment approaches, to assess for and attend to offenders' criminogenic and rehabilitative/therapeutic needs in alignment with the risk-need-responsivity model.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nichea S. Spillane
- Department of Psychology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
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10
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Gibbels C, Sinke C, Kneer J, Amelung T, Mohnke S, Beier KM, Walter H, Schiltz K, Gerwinn H, Pohl A, Ponseti J, Foedisch C, Ristow I, Walter M, Kaergel C, Massau C, Schiffer B, Kruger THC. Two Sides of One Coin: A Comparison of Clinical and Neurobiological Characteristics of Convicted and Non-Convicted Pedophilic Child Sexual Offenders. J Clin Med 2019; 8:E947. [PMID: 31261903 PMCID: PMC6678781 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8070947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
High prevalence of child sexual offending stand in contradiction to low conviction rates (one-tenth at most) of child sexual offenders (CSOs). Little is known about possible differences between convicted and non-convicted pedophilic CSOs and why only some become known to the judicial system. This investigation takes a closer look at the two sides of "child sexual offending" by focusing on clinical and neurobiological characteristics of convicted and non-convicted pedophilic CSOs as presented in the Neural Mechanisms Underlying Pedophilia and sexual offending against children (NeMUP)*-study. Seventy-nine male pedophilic CSOs were examined, 48 of them convicted. All participants received a thorough clinical examination including the structured clinical interview (SCID), intelligence, empathy, impulsivity, and criminal history. Sixty-one participants (38 convicted) underwent an inhibition performance task (Go/No-go paradigm) combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Convicted and non-convicted pedophilic CSOs revealed similar clinical characteristics, inhibition performances, and neuronal activation. However, convicted subjects' age preference was lower (i.e., higher interest in prepubescent children) and they had committed a significantly higher number of sexual offenses against children compared to non-convicted subjects. In conclusion, sexual age preference may represent one of the major driving forces for elevated rates of sexual offenses against children in this sample, and careful clinical assessment thereof should be incorporated in every preventive approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Gibbels
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hanover, Germany
| | - Christopher Sinke
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hanover, Germany
| | - Jonas Kneer
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hanover, Germany
| | - Till Amelung
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Mohnke
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Michael Beier
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, CCM, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kolja Schiltz
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Hannah Gerwinn
- Kiel University, Medical School, Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Alexander Pohl
- Kiel University, Medical School, Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Jorge Ponseti
- Kiel University, Medical School, Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Carina Foedisch
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Inka Ristow
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto-von Guericke-University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Christian Kaergel
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, 44791 Bochum, Germany
| | - Claudia Massau
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, 44791 Bochum, Germany
| | - Boris Schiffer
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, 44791 Bochum, Germany
| | - Tillmann H C Kruger
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hanover, Germany.
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11
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Is there an "antisocial" cerebellum? Evidence from disorders other than autism characterized by abnormal social behaviours. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2019; 89:1-8. [PMID: 30153496 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The cerebellum is a hindbrain structure which involvement in functions not related to motor control and planning is being increasingly recognized in the last decades. Studies on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have reported cerebellar involvement on these conditions characterized by social deficits and repetitive motor behavior patterns. Although such an involvement hints at a possible cerebellar participation in the social domain, the fact that ASD patients present both social and motor deficits impedes drawing any firm conclusion regarding cerebellar involvement in pathological social behaviours, probably influenced by the classical view of the cerebellum as a purely "motor" brain structure. Here, we suggest the cerebellum can be a key node for the production and control of normal and particularly aberrant social behaviours, as indicated by its involvement in other neuropsychiatric disorders which main symptom is deregulated social behaviour. Therefore, in this work, we briefly review cerebellar involvement in social behavior in rodent models, followed by discussing the findings linking the cerebellum to those other psychiatric conditions characterized by defective social behaviours. Finally, possible commonalities between the studies and putative underlying impaired functions will be discussed and experimental approaches both in patients and experimental animals will also be proposed, aimed at stimulating research on the role of the cerebellum in social behaviours and disorders characterized by social impairments, which, if successful, will definitely help reinforcing the proposed cerebellar involvement in the social domain.
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12
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Jordan K, Wild TSN, Fromberger P, Müller I, Müller JL. Are There Any Biomarkers for Pedophilia and Sexual Child Abuse? A Review. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:940. [PMID: 32038314 PMCID: PMC6985439 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of biomarkers in medicine is a common and valuable approach in several clinical fields. Understanding the relationship between measurable biological processes and clinical outcomes not only is indispensable in the face of understanding physiological processes in healthy as well as in diseased organisms but also for understanding and evaluating treatment effects. Therefore, also in the context of forensic psychiatry, biomarkers and their potentially beneficial effects are of growing interest. The objective of this review is to examine if there are biomarkers that may serve as a tool to support diagnostic process, treatment evaluation, and risk assessment of pedophilic individuals and child sexual offenders. In the first part, we present an overview of the current neurobiological, as well as physiological and psychophysiological approaches to characterize pedophilia and child sexual offending. Secondly, we discuss and evaluate the impact of these approaches on the development of biomarkers for diagnosis, therapy, and risk assessment in pedophilic subjects and child sexual offenders. We conclude that a lot of research has already enhanced our neurobiological knowledge about pedophilia and child sexual offending. Although there surely exist promising parameters and approaches, in our view currently none of these is ready yet to serve as a clinically applicable diagnostic, response, or predictive biomarker for pedophilia and child sexual offending. Therefore, further work remains to be done. The development of a composite diagnostic biomarker to assess deviant sexual interest, combining several measures like functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalogram, eye tracking, and behavioral approaches seems to be most promising. A valid and reliable measurement of deviant sexual interest, insensitive to manipulations could significantly support clinical diagnostic process. Similarly, regarding therapy evaluation and risk assessment, a composite biomarker to assess inhibitory control functions seems to be promising. Furthermore, the application of the Research Domain Criteria-approach, a new approach for investigating and classifying mental disorders, offers the possibility to take research to a new level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Jordan
- Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Tamara Sheila Nadine Wild
- Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Peter Fromberger
- Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Isabel Müller
- Asklepios Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Leo Müller
- Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Clinic of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.,Asklepios Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Goettingen, Germany
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13
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McPhail IV, Olver ME, Brouillette-Alarie S, Looman J. Taxometric Analysis of the Latent Structure of Pedophilic Interest. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2018; 47:2223-2240. [PMID: 30014340 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-018-1225-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2017] [Revised: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The present study examined the latent structure of pedophilic interest. Using data from phallometric tests for pedophilic interest across four samples of offenders (ns = 805, 632, 531, 261), taxometric analyses were conducted to identify whether pedophilic interest is best characterized as taxonic or dimensional. Across the samples, the majority of analyses supported taxonic latent structure in pedophilic interest. Visual inspection of taxometric curves indicated trichotomous latent structure (i.e., three-ordered classes) may characterize pedophilic interest in these samples. In a second step of taxometric analysis, the results supported trichotomous latent structure, indicating the presence of a complement taxon and two pedophilic taxa. In comparison with the complement taxon, the men in the first pedophilic taxon were non-exclusively pedophilic and had similar rates of sexual recidivism and sexual compulsivity. The men in the second pedophilic taxon were exclusively pedophilic, had more child victims and total victims, sexually re-offended at a higher rate, and were more sexually compulsive. The finding of trichotomous latent structure in pedophilic interest is both consistent and inconsistent with previous taxometric studies and has implications for research, assessment, and treatment of pedophilic interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian V McPhail
- Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A5, Canada.
| | - Mark E Olver
- Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A5, Canada
| | - Sébastien Brouillette-Alarie
- École de Criminologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- International Centre for Comparative Criminology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Institut Philippe-Pinel de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jan Looman
- Providence Care Mental Health Services, Kingston, ON, Canada
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14
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Fazio RL. Toward a Neurodevelopmental Understanding of Pedophilia. J Sex Med 2018; 15:1205-1207. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.04.631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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15
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This paper reviews recent research into four different approaches to the assessment of offense-related sexual deviance. RECENT FINDINGS Two of these approaches, structured rating scales and phallometry, have a sufficient basis in research for clinical use but have undergone significant refinements in recent years. One approach, the use of cognitive tasks to indirectly assess sexual deviance, is approaching the point where it has a sound research basis for clinical use though too many promising tasks have yet to make the transition from laboratory to clinical practice. This approach has however begun to map the earlier stages of sexual response including preconscious processes. The final approach, assessment through neuroimaging, is at the earliest stage of development with research findings having yet to reach sufficient stability for clinical application. Existing assessment technologies, despite their limitations, allow professionals to assess offense-related sexual deviance. New approaches, currently being developed, potentially allow a better understanding of underlying processes and, when sufficiently mature, will be more therapeutically useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Thornton
- Sand Ridge Research Unit, 301 Troy Dr - Bldg 14, Madison, WI, 53704, USA.
| | - Gina Ambroziak
- Sand Ridge Research Unit, 301 Troy Dr - Bldg 14, Madison, WI, 53704, USA
| | - Rachel E Kahn
- Sand Ridge Research Unit, 301 Troy Dr - Bldg 14, Madison, WI, 53704, USA
| | - James Mundt
- Sand Ridge Research Unit, 301 Troy Dr - Bldg 14, Madison, WI, 53704, USA
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16
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Multimodal neuroimaging measures and intelligence influence pedophile child sexual offense behavior. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 28:818-827. [PMID: 29880336 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pedophilia is a heterogeneous disorder for which the neurobiological correlates are not well established. In particular, there are no biological markers identifying individuals with high risk to commit child sexual offense (CSO). Pedophiles with CSO (P+CSO; N = 73), pedophiles without CSO (P-CSO; N = 77), and non-pedophilic controls (NPC; N = 133) were assessed using multimodal structural neuroimaging measures including: cortical thickness (CT), surface area (SA), and white matter fractional anisotropy (FA), as well as full scale IQ (FSIQ) performance. Cortex-wise mediation analyses were used to assess the relationships among brain structure, FSIQ and CSO behavior. Lower FSIQ performance was strongly predict with P+CSO (Wald Chi2 = 13.0, p = 3.1 × 10-5). P+CSO had lower CT in the right motor cortex and pronounced reductions in SA spanning the bilateral frontal, temporal, cingulate, and insular regions (PFWE-corrected < 0.05). P+CSO also had lower FA particularly in the corpus callosum (PFWE-corrected < 0.05). The relationship between SA and P+CSO was significantly mediated by FSIQ, particularly in the prefrontal and anterior insular cortices (PFWE-corrected < 0.05). Within P+CSO, left prefrontal and right anterior cingulate SA negatively correlated with number of CSOs (PFWE-corrected < 0.05). This study demonstrates converging neurobiological findings in which P+CSO had lower FSIQ performance, reduced CT, reduced SA, and reduced FA, compared to P-CSO as well as NPC. Further, FSIQ potentially mediates abuse by pedophiles via aberrant SA, whereas the CT and FA associations were independent of FSIQ differences. These findings suggest aberrant neuroanatomy and lower intelligence as a potential core feature underlying child sexual abuse behavior by pedophiles.
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17
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Schiffer B, Amelung T, Pohl A, Kaergel C, Tenbergen G, Gerwinn H, Mohnke S, Massau C, Matthias W, Weiß S, Marr V, Beier KM, Walter M, Ponseti J, Krüger THC, Schiltz K, Walter H. Gray matter anomalies in pedophiles with and without a history of child sexual offending. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1129. [PMID: 28509903 PMCID: PMC5534964 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.96] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pedophilia is a psychiatric disorder that is inter-related with but distinct from child sexual offending (CSO). Neural alterations reportedly contribute to both pedophilia and CSO, but until now, no study has distinguished the brain structural anomalies associated with pedophilia from those specifically associated with CSO in pedophilic men. Using high-resolution T1-weighted brain images and voxel-based morphometry, we analyzed the gray matter (GM) volume of the following 219 men recruited at four acquisition sites in Germany: 58 pedophiles with a history of CSO, 60 pedophiles without any history of CSO and 101 non-pedophilic, non-offending controls to control for the effects of age, education level, verbal IQ, sexual orientation and the acquisition site. Although there were no differences in the relative GM volume of the brain specifically associated with pedophilia, statistical parametric maps revealed a highly significant and CSO-related pattern of above vs below the 'normal' GM volume in the right temporal pole, with non-offending pedophiles exhibiting larger volumes than offending pedophiles. Moreover, regression analysis revealed that the lower GM volume of the dorsomedial prefrontal or anterior cingulate cortex was associated with a higher risk of re-offending in pedophilic child molesters. We believe our data provide the first evidence that CSO in pedophilia rather than pedophilia alone is associated with GM anomalies and thus shed new light on the results of previous studies on this topic. These results indicate the need for new neurobehavioral theories on pedophilia and CSO and may be potentially useful for treatment or prevention approaches that aim to reduce the risk of (re)offending in pedophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Schiffer
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - T Amelung
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Pohl
- Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - C Kaergel
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - G Tenbergen
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Hannover, Germany
| | - H Gerwinn
- Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - S Mohnke
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - C Massau
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital, Bochum, Germany
- Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - W Matthias
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Hannover, Germany
| | - S Weiß
- Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - V Marr
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department for Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - K M Beier
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Walter
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Department for Behavioral Neurology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - J Ponseti
- Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - T H C Krüger
- Hannover Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Hannover, Germany
| | - K Schiltz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - H Walter
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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18
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Cantor JM, Lafaille SJ, Hannah J, Kucyi A, Soh DW, Girard TA, Mikulis DJ. Independent Component Analysis of Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Pedophiles. J Sex Med 2017; 13:1546-54. [PMID: 27641922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuroimaging and other studies have changed the common view that pedophilia is a result of childhood sexual abuse and instead is a neurologic phenomenon with prenatal origins. Previous research has identified differences in the structural connectivity of the brain in pedophilia. AIM To identify analogous differences in functional connectivity. METHODS Functional magnetic resonance images were recorded from three groups of participants while they were at rest: pedophilic men with a history of sexual offenses against children (n = 37) and two control groups: non-pedophilic men who committed non-sexual offenses (n = 28) and non-pedophilic men with no criminal history (n = 39). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were subjected to independent component analysis to identify known functional networks of the brain, and groups were compared to identify differences in connectivity with those networks (or "components"). RESULTS The pedophilic group demonstrated wide-ranging increases in functional connectivity with the default mode network compared with controls and regional differences (increases and decreases) with the frontoparietal network. Of these brain regions (total = 23), 20 have been identified by meta-analytic studies to respond to sexually relevant stimuli. Conversely, of the brain areas known to be those that respond to sexual stimuli, nearly all emerged in the present data as significantly different in pedophiles. CONCLUSION This study confirms the presence of significant differences in the functional connectivity of the brain in pedophilia consistent with previously reported differences in structural connectivity. The connectivity differences detected here and elsewhere are opposite in direction from those associated with anti-sociality, arguing against anti-sociality and for pedophilia as the source of the neuroanatomic differences detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Cantor
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Complex Mental Illness Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - S J Lafaille
- Complex Mental Illness Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J Hannah
- Complex Mental Illness Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - A Kucyi
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - D W Soh
- Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - T A Girard
- Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - D J Mikulis
- Toronto Western Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
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19
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Levenson JS, Willis GM, Vicencio CP. Obstacles to Help-Seeking for Sexual Offenders: Implications for Prevention of Sexual Abuse. JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 2017; 26:99-120. [PMID: 28350259 DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2016.1276116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Persons with potentially harmful sexual interests such as attraction to minors are unlikely to seek or receive treatment before a sexual offense has been committed. The current study explored barriers to help-seeking in a sample of 372 individuals in treatment for sexual offending. Results revealed that the shame and secrecy resulting from stigma associated with pedophilic interests often prevented our respondents from seeking professional counseling, and only about 20% tried to talk to anyone about their sexual interests prior to their arrest. Barriers to seeking and receiving psychological services included concerns about confidentiality, fears of social and legal consequences, personal shame or confusion about the problem, affordability, and challenges finding competent therapists who were adequately equipped to help them. Understanding and ultimately reducing obstacles to help-seeking can improve the quality of life for people with harmful sexual interests and potentially prevent sexual abuse of children or other vulnerable individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill S Levenson
- a School of Social Work , Barry University , Miami Shores , Florida , USA
| | - Gwenda M Willis
- b School of Psychology, Tāmaki Innovation Campus , The University of Auckland , Auckland , New Zealand
| | - Claudia P Vicencio
- a School of Social Work , Barry University , Miami Shores , Florida , USA
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20
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Kärgel C, Massau C, Weiß S, Walter M, Borchardt V, Krueger THC, Tenbergen G, Kneer J, Wittfoth M, Pohl A, Gerwinn H, Ponseti J, Amelung T, Beier KM, Mohnke S, Walter H, Schiffer B. Evidence for superior neurobiological and behavioral inhibitory control abilities in non-offending as compared to offending pedophiles. Hum Brain Mapp 2016; 38:1092-1104. [PMID: 27767244 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurobehavioral models of pedophilia and child sexual offending suggest a pattern of temporal and in particular prefrontal disturbances leading to inappropriate behavioral control and subsequently an increased propensity to sexually offend against children. However, clear empirical evidence for such mechanisms is still missing. Using a go/nogo paradigm in combination with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) we compared behavioral performance and neural response patterns among three groups of men matched for age and IQ: pedophiles with (N = 40) and without (N = 37) a history of hands-on sexual offences against children as well as healthy non-offending controls (N = 40). As compared to offending pedophiles, non-offending pedophiles exhibited superior inhibitory control as reflected by significantly lower rate of commission errors. Group-by-condition interaction analysis also revealed inhibition-related activation in the left posterior cingulate and the left superior frontal cortex that distinguished between offending and non-offending pedophiles, while no significant differences were found between pedophiles and healthy controls. Both areas showing distinct activation pattern among pedophiles play a critical role in linking neural networks that relate to effective cognitive functioning. Data therefore suggest that heightened inhibition-related recruitment of these areas as well as decreased amount of commission errors is related to better inhibitory control in pedophiles who successfully avoid committing hands-on sexual offences against children. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1092-1104, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kärgel
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital Bochum, Alexandrinenstraße 1-3, Bochum, 44791, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 174, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Claudia Massau
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital Bochum, Alexandrinenstraße 1-3, Bochum, 44791, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 174, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Simone Weiß
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 174, Essen, 45147, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry, Otto v. Guericke University, Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany.,Department for Behavioral Neurology, Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Leipziger Str. 44, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Tübingen, Osianderstr. 24, Tübingen, 72076, Germany
| | - Viola Borchardt
- Department for Behavioral Neurology, Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Leipziger Str. 44, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Tillmann H C Krueger
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, Hannover, 30625, Germany
| | - Gilian Tenbergen
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, Hannover, 30625, Germany
| | - Jonas Kneer
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, Hannover, 30625, Germany
| | - Matthias Wittfoth
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Carl-Neuberg Strasse 1, Hannover, 30625, Germany
| | - Alexander Pohl
- Department for Integrative Psychiatry Kiel, Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Christian-Albrechts Kiel University, Medical School, Kiel, Niemannsweg 147, Kiel, 24105, Germany
| | - Hannah Gerwinn
- Department for Integrative Psychiatry Kiel, Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Christian-Albrechts Kiel University, Medical School, Kiel, Niemannsweg 147, Kiel, 24105, Germany
| | - Jorge Ponseti
- Department for Integrative Psychiatry Kiel, Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Christian-Albrechts Kiel University, Medical School, Kiel, Niemannsweg 147, Kiel, 24105, Germany
| | - Till Amelung
- Department of Health and Human Sciences, Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Charité), Luisenstr. 57, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Klaus M Beier
- Department of Health and Human Sciences, Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Charité), Luisenstr. 57, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Sebastian Mohnke
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Berlin (Charité), Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Berlin (Charité), Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Boris Schiffer
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital Bochum, Alexandrinenstraße 1-3, Bochum, 44791, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, LVR-University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Virchowstr. 174, Essen, 45147, Germany
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