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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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Baltodano-Calle MJ, Onton-Díaz M, Gonzales GF. Androgens, brain and androgen deprivation therapy in paraphilic disorders: A narrative review. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14561. [PMID: 35995581 DOI: 10.1111/and.14561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Sexual delinquency is a global problem where those with paraphilic disorders, such as paedophiles, are more likely to commit and reoffend. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has been suggested as a solution. The objective of this narrative review is to present current information on its risks, benefits and limitations as a treatment for paraphilias. The importance of testosterone in sexual function, the effect of its deficiency by age or by pharmacological treatment (anti-androgens, GnRH agonists and GnRH antagonists) and the effect of testosterone replacement therapy will be reviewed. The relationship between androgens, brain, sexual behaviour and pathophysiology of paraphilic disorders will also be explored. ADT reduces sexual urges, but has adverse effects and, because its reversible nature, it does not ensure less recidivism. Likewise, the research quality of ADT drugs is limited and not enough to support their use. Child sex offenders, and not paraphilic subjects who have not committed assaults, show signs of elevated prenatal exposure to androgens and a higher methylation state of the androgen receptor gene. Sexual behaviour is regulated by subcortical (hypothalamus, brainstem and spinal cord) and cortical structures of the brain, in addition to brain circuits (dopaminergic, serotonergic). Those with paraphilic disorders show abnormalities at these levels that could relate to the risk of sexual offences. In conclusion, androgens represent a significant part of the pathophysiology of paraphilias and therefore, ADT seems promising. Nonetheless, more studies are needed to make definite conclusions about the efficacy of long-term ADT in paraphilic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melisa Onton-Díaz
- Faculty of Medicine, Cayetano Heredia Peruvian University., Lima, Peru
| | - Gustavo F Gonzales
- Laboratorio de Endocrinología y Reproducción, Laboratorios de Investigación y Desarrollo (LID), Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.,Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.,Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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4
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Neurochemical and Hormonal Contributors to Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder. CURRENT ADDICTION REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40429-021-00403-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Compulsive sexual behavior disorder has been recently included in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), and the possible contribution of neurochemical and hormonal factors have been reported. However, relatively little is known concerning the neurobiology underlying this disorder. The aim of this article is to review and discuss published findings in the area.
Recent Findings
Evidence suggests that the neuroendocrine systems are involved in the pathophysiology of compulsive sexual behavior. The hypothalamus-pituitary adrenal axis, the hypothalamus-pituitary–gonadal axis, and the oxytocinergic system have been implicated.
Summary
Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact involvement of neuroendocrine and hormonal systems in compulsive sexual behavior disorder. Prospective longitudinal studies are particularly needed, especially those considering co-occurring psychiatric disorders and obtaining hormonal assessments in experimental circumstances with appropriate control groups.
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Zhao J, Ma Y, Zhai X, Li H, Wang Z, Chong T. Elevated free testosterone levels and reduced very low-density lipoprotein levels in men with lifelong premature ejaculation: a preliminary study. J Int Med Res 2021; 49:3000605211002681. [PMID: 33884915 PMCID: PMC8072105 DOI: 10.1177/03000605211002681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate sex hormone and blood lipid levels in patients with lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) in China. Methods Sex hormone and blood lipid levels were measured in 156 patients with LPE and 76 healthy controls. The Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) and Chinese Index of Sexual Function for Premature Ejaculation-5 Questionnaires (CIPE-5) were applied to diagnose and grade LPE. Results PEDT and CIPE-5 scores were significantly altered in the LPE group compared with the control group. Free testosterone levels were significantly higher in the LPE group than in the control group. Free testosterone levels were also significantly higher in the mild, moderate, and severe LPE subgroups than in the control group. Total testosterone and prolactin levels tended to be lower in the control group than in the LPE group. Very low-density lipoprotein levels were significantly lower in the LPE group and LPE subgroups than in the control group. Triglyceride levels were highest in controls and decreased with progression of LPE. Conclusions Patients with LPE have higher free testosterone levels and lower very low-density lipoprotein levels than controls. These findings indicate that these factors might be indices for LPE. However, the reasons for these phenomena need to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhao
- Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shananxi, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Yubo Ma
- Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shananxi, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqiang Zhai
- Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shananxi, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Hecheng Li
- Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shananxi, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Ziming Wang
- Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shananxi, Xi'an, P.R. China
| | - Tie Chong
- Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Shananxi, Xi'an, P.R. China
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Wittström F, Långström N, Landgren V, Rahm C. Risk Factors for Sexual Offending in Self-Referred Men With Pedophilic Disorder: A Swedish Case-Control Study. Front Psychol 2020; 11:571775. [PMID: 33324285 PMCID: PMC7726190 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.571775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The risk of child sexual abuse among non-forensic, non-correctional patients with Pedophilic Disorder (PD) is largely unknown. Methods We recruited a consecutive sample of 55 help-seeking, non-correctional adult men diagnosed with DSM-5 PD at a university-affiliated sexual medicine outpatient unit in Sweden. PD participants were compared with 57 age-matched, non-clinical control men on four literature-based dynamic risk domains and self-rated child sexual abuse risk. Results PD participants scored higher than controls on all tested domains (0-3 points); expectedly so for pedophilic attraction (2.5 vs. 0.0, Cohen's d = 2.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): [1.91-2.89]), but also for sexual preoccupation (1.6 vs. 1.0, d = 1.11, 95% CI: [0.71-1.51]), impaired self-regulation (1.4 vs. 1.0, d = 0.44, 95% CI: [0.06 to 0.81]), impaired cognitive empathy and antisocial traits (0.9 vs. 0.1, d = 1.18, 95% CI: [0.78-1.59]), and self-rated child sexual abuse risk (1.0 vs. 0.0, d = 1.56, 95% CI: [1.13-1.98]). When summarizing all five domains into a pre-specified composite score (0-15 points), PD subjects scored substantially higher than matched control men (7.5 vs. 2.1, d = 2.12, 95% CI: [1.65-2.59]). Five (9%) PD participants self-reported any previous conviction for a contact child sexual offense and eight (15%) for possession of child sexual abuse material or non-contact sexual offending (adult or child victim). Eighteen subjects (34%) acknowledged past week, child-related sexual behaviors. Conclusion Self-referred, help-seeking men with PD scored higher (small to very large effect sizes) than non-clinical control men on psychiatric measures of dynamic risk of child sexual abuse suggested in prior research with correctional samples diagnosed with PD. Our findings, including the composite risk measure, might inform clinical practice, but needs validation against actual sexual offending behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Wittström
- Center for Sexual Medicine (ANOVA), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Niklas Långström
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Valdemar Landgren
- Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christoffer Rahm
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Landgren V, Malki K, Bottai M, Arver S, Rahm C. Effect of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist on Risk of Committing Child Sexual Abuse in Men With Pedophilic Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry 2020; 77:897-905. [PMID: 32347899 PMCID: PMC7191435 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.0440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Evidence-based treatments from randomized clinical trials for pedophilic disorder are lacking. OBJECTIVE To determine whether a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist reduces dynamic risk factors for committing child sexual abuse. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This academically initiated, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, phase 2 randomized clinical trial was conducted at the ANOVA center in Stockholm, Sweden, from March 1, 2016, to April 30, 2019. Individuals who contacted PrevenTell, the national telephone helpline for unwanted sexuality, were recruited. Eligible participants were men seeking help aged 18 to 66 years with a pedophilic disorder diagnosis and no contraindications to the intervention. The primary end point was assessed by intent-to-treat analysis. INTERVENTIONS Randomization to receive either 2 subcutaneous injections of 120 mg of degarelix acetate or equal volume of placebo. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary end point was the mean change between baseline and 2 weeks in the composite risk score of 5 domains of child sexual abuse ranging from 0 to 15 points; each domain could be rated from 0 to 3 points. Secondary end points included efficacy at 2 and 10 weeks as measured by the composite score, each risk domain, quality of life, self-reported effects, and adverse events. RESULTS A total of 52 male participants (mean [SD] age, 36 [12] years) were randomized to receive either degarelix (n = 25; with 1 withdrawal) or placebo (n = 26). At 2 weeks, the composite risk score decreased from 7.4 to 4.4 for participants in the degarelix group and from 7.8 to 6.6 for the placebo group, a mean between-group difference of -1.8 (95% CI, -3.2 to -0.5; P = .01). A decrease was seen in the composite score at 10 weeks (-2.2 [95% CI, -3.6 to -0.7]) as well as in the domains of pedophilic disorder (2 weeks: -0.7 [95% CI, -1.4 to 0.0]; 10 weeks: -1.1 [95% CI, -1.8 to -0.4]) and sexual preoccupation (2 weeks: -0.7 [95% CI, -1.2 to -0.3]; 10 weeks: -0.8 [95% CI, -1.3 to -0.3]) in the degarelix group compared with the placebo group. No difference was seen for the domains of self-rated risk (2 weeks: -0.4 [95% CI, -0.9 to 0.1]; 10 weeks: -0.5 [95% CI, -1 to 0.0]), low empathy (2 weeks: 0.2 [95% CI, -0.3 to 0.6]; 10 weeks: 0.2 [95% CI, -0.2 to 0.6]), and impaired self-regulation (2 weeks: -0.0 [95% CI, -0.7 to 0.6]; 10 weeks: 0.1 [95% CI, -0.5 to 0.8]), or quality of life (EuroQol 5 Dimensions questionnaire index score, 2 weeks: 0.06 [95% CI, -0.00 to 0.12], and 10 weeks: 0.04; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.10; EuroQol visual analog scale, 2 weeks: 0.6 [95% CI, -9.7 to 10.9], and 10 weeks: 4.2 [95% CI, -6.0 to 14.4]). Two hospitalizations occurred from increased suicidal ideation, and more injection site reactions (degarelix: 22 of 25 [88%]; placebo: 1 of 26 [4%]) and hepatobiliary enzyme level elevations were reported by participants who received degarelix (degarelix: 11 of 25 [44%]; placebo: 2 of 26 [8%]). Among the 26 participants randomized to receive degarelix, 20 (77%) experienced positive effects (eg, improved attitude or behavior) on sexuality and 23 (89%) reported adverse effects on the body. CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE This trial found that degarelix reduced the risk score for committing child sexual abuse in men with pedophilic disorder 2 weeks after initial injection, suggesting use of the drug as a rapid-onset treatment option. Further studies are warranted into the effects and long-term adverse effects of hormone deficiency. TRIAL REGISTRATION EU Clinical Trials Register Identifier: 2014-000647-32.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valdemar Landgren
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kinda Malki
- Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matteo Bottai
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Arver
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christoffer Rahm
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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Chatzittofis A, Boström AE, Öberg KG, Flanagan JN, Schiöth HB, Arver S, Jokinen J. Normal Testosterone but Higher Luteinizing Hormone Plasma Levels in Men With Hypersexual Disorder. Sex Med 2020; 8:243-250. [PMID: 32173350 PMCID: PMC7261685 DOI: 10.1016/j.esxm.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hypersexual disorder as suggested to be included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 integrates aspects of sexual desire deregulation, impulsivity, and compulsivity. However, it is unknown how it affects gonadal activity and the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. AIM The aim of this study was to investigate testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in hypersexual men compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, we investigated associations between epigenetic markers and hormone levels. METHODS Basal morning plasma levels of testosterone, LH, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were assessed in 67 hypersexual men (mean age: 39.2 years) compared with 39 age-matched healthy controls (mean age: 37.5 years). The Sexual Compulsivity Scale and the Hypersexual Disorder: Current Assessment Scale were used for assessing hypersexual behavior, the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Scale-self rating was used for depression severity, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was used for assessing history of childhood adversity. The genome-wide methylation pattern of more than 850 K CpG sites was measured in whole blood using the Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip. CpG sites located within 2,000 bp of the transcriptional start site of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) and HPG axis-coupled genes were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Testosterone and LH plasma levels in association with clinical rating and a secondary outcome was the epigenetic profile of HPA and HPG axis-coupled CpG sites with testosterone and LH levels. RESULTS LH plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with hypersexual disorder than in healthy volunteers. No significant differences in plasma testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone, prolactin, and SHBG levels were found between the groups. There were no significant associations between DNA methylation of HPA and HPG axis-coupled genes and plasma testosterone or LH levels after multiple testing corrections. CONCLUSIONS Subtle dysregulation of the HPG axis, with increased LH plasma levels but no difference in testosterone levels may be present in hypersexual men. Chatzittofis A, Boström AE, Öberg KG, et al. Normal Testosterone but Higher Luteinizing Hormone Plasma Levels in Men With Hypersexual Disorder. Sex Med 2020;8:243-250.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Chatzittofis
- Department of Clinical Sciences/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | | | - Katarina Görts Öberg
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
| | - John N Flanagan
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
| | - Helgi B Schiöth
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Stefan Arver
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
| | - Jussi Jokinen
- Department of Clinical Sciences/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience/Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Kruger THC, Sinke C, Kneer J, Tenbergen G, Khan AQ, Burkert A, Müller-Engling L, Engler H, Gerwinn H, von Wurmb-Schwark N, Pohl A, Weiß S, Amelung T, Mohnke S, Massau C, Kärgel C, Walter M, Schiltz K, Beier KM, Ponseti J, Schiffer B, Walter H, Jahn K, Frieling H. Child sexual offenders show prenatal and epigenetic alterations of the androgen system. Transl Psychiatry 2019; 9:28. [PMID: 30659171 PMCID: PMC6338724 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0326-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Child sexual offending (CSO) places a serious burden on society and medicine and pedophilia (P) is considered a major risk factor for CSO. The androgen system is closely linked to sexual development and behavior. This study assessed markers of prenatal brain androgenization, genetic parameters of androgen receptor function, epigenetic regulation, and peripheral hormones in a 2 × 2 factorial design comprising the factors Offense (yes/no) and Pedophilia (yes/no) in analyzing blood samples from 194 subjects (57 P+CSO, 45 P-CSO, 20 CSO-P, and 72 controls) matched for age and intelligence. Subjects also received a comprehensive clinical screening. Independent of their sexual preference, child sexual offenders showed signs of elevated prenatal androgen exposure compared with non-offending pedophiles and controls. The methylation status of the androgen receptor gene was also higher in child sexual offenders, indicating lower functionality of the testosterone system, accompanied by lower peripheral testosterone levels. In addition, there was an interaction effect on methylation levels between offense status and androgen receptor functionality. Notably, markers of prenatal androgenization and the methylation status of the androgen receptor gene were correlated with the total number of sexual offenses committed. This study demonstrates alterations of the androgen system on a prenatal, epigenetic, and endocrine level. None of the major findings was specific for pedophilia, but they were for CSO. The findings support theories of testosterone-linked abnormalities in early brain development in delinquent behavior and suggest possible interactions of testosterone receptor gene methylation and plasma testosterone with environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tillmann H. C. Kruger
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christopher Sinke
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jonas Kneer
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Gilian Tenbergen
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Abdul Qayyum Khan
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Alexandra Burkert
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Linda Müller-Engling
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Harald Engler
- 0000 0001 2187 5445grid.5718.bInstitute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Immunobiology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Hannah Gerwinn
- 0000 0001 2153 9986grid.9764.cInstitute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Nicole von Wurmb-Schwark
- Forensische Genetik und Rechtsmedizin, am Institut für Hämatopathologie Hamburg GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Pohl
- 0000 0001 2153 9986grid.9764.cInstitute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Simone Weiß
- 0000 0001 2187 5445grid.5718.bInstitute of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, 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, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sebastian Mohnke
- 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, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Massau
- 0000 0004 0490 981Xgrid.5570.7Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, Bochum, Germany
| | - Christian Kärgel
- 0000 0004 0490 981Xgrid.5570.7Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- 0000 0001 1018 4307grid.5807.aDepartment of Psychiatry, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany ,0000 0001 2190 1447grid.10392.39Department of Psychiatry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kolja Schiltz
- 0000 0004 1936 973Xgrid.5252.0Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus M. 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, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jorge Ponseti
- 0000 0001 2153 9986grid.9764.cInstitute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical School, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Boris Schiffer
- 0000 0004 0490 981Xgrid.5570.7Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Deptartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Ruhr University Bochum, LWL University Hospital, Bochum, 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, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirsten Jahn
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- 0000 0000 9529 9877grid.10423.34Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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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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11
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Briken P, Turner D, Thibaut F, Bradford J, Cosyns P, Tozdan S. Validation of the Change or Stop Testosterone-Lowering Medication (COSTLow) Scale Using the Delphi Method Among Clinical Experts. JOURNAL OF SEX & MARITAL THERAPY 2018; 45:148-158. [PMID: 30040595 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2018.1491910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Guidelines for pharmacological treatment of patients with paraphilic disorders have been developed by a working group of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (Thibaut et al., 2010 ). With an increasing duration of experience and number of treated patients as well as aging patients, change of or withdrawal from testosterone-lowering medications (TLM) has become an important issue. The current study aimed to assess the quality of a structured professional judgment procedure that helps switching or discontinuing TLM in patients with paraphilic disorders. We used the Delphi method to estimate the quality of 10 factors originally proposed by the authors. A total of 30 experts participated in the first stage; 18 experts participated in the second stage. The experts' assessment resulted in an instrument of 15 factors that can be used to structure the process of changing or discontinuing TLM. These factors can be grouped into five broader categories: age and duration of treatment; therapeutic alliance; psychopathology and risk factors; motivation; and compliance and level of control. The developed COSTLow-R Scale provides an instrument that can be used to structure the process of changing or discontinuing TLM in patients with severe paraphilic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peer Briken
- a Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
| | - Daniel Turner
- a Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
- b Department of Psychiatry , University Medical Center Mainz , Mainz , Germany
| | - Florence Thibaut
- c Centre of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine Paris Descartes, University Hospital Cochin (site Tarnier) , Paris , France
| | - John Bradford
- d Institute of Mental Health Research , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Paul Cosyns
- e Collaborative Antwerp Psychiatric Research Institute, University Forensic Centre , Antwerp , Belgium
| | - Safiye Tozdan
- a Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
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12
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Wong JS, Gravel J. Do Sex Offenders Have Higher Levels of Testosterone? Results From a Meta-Analysis. SEXUAL ABUSE : A JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2018; 30:147-168. [PMID: 27000267 DOI: 10.1177/1079063216637857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the current study is to review the available scientific evidence on the relationship between testosterone and sexual aggression. A systematic search for all primary studies comparing basal testosterone levels in sex offenders and non-sex offenders was undertaken across 20 electronic databases using an explicit search strategy and inclusion/exclusion criteria. A total of seven studies were identified and 11 effect sizes were computed; effects were pooled using both fixed and random effects meta-analysis models. Although individual study findings present a mix of results wherein sex offenders have higher or lower baseline levels of testosterone than non-sex offenders, pooled results indicate no overall difference between groups. Moderators of the analyses suggest possibly lower rates of testosterone in child molesters than controls; however, results are dependent on study weighting. Limitations, policy implications with respect to chemical castration laws, and future directions for research are discussed.
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13
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Ristow I, Li M, Colic L, Marr V, Födisch C, von Düring F, Schiltz K, Drumkova K, Witzel J, Walter H, Beier K, Kruger THC, Ponseti J, Schiffer B, Walter M. Pedophilic sex offenders are characterised by reduced GABA concentration in dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2018; 18:335-341. [PMID: 29876253 PMCID: PMC5987735 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2018.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A pedophilic disorder is characterised by abnormal sexual urges towards prepubescent children. Child abusive behavior is frequently a result of lack of behavioral inhibition and current treatment options entail, next to suppressing unchangeable sexual orientation, measures to increase cognitive and attentional control. We tested, if in brain regions subserving attentional control of behavior and perception of salient stimuli, such inhibition deficit can be observed also on the level of inhibitory neurotransmitters. We measured GABA concentration in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and in a control region, the pregenual anterior cingulate cortex (pgACC) in pedophilic sex offenders (N = 13) and matched controls (N = 13) using a 7 Tesla STEAM magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In dACC but not in the control region pedophilic sex offenders showed reduced GABA/Cr concentrations compared to healthy controls. The reduction was robust after controlling for potential influence of age and gray matter proportion within the MRS voxel (p < 0.04). Importantly, reduced GABA/Cr in patients was correlated with lower self-control measured with the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (p = 0.028, r = -0.689). In a region related to cognitive control and salience mapping, pedophilic sex offenders showed reduction of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA which may be seen as a neuronal correlate of inhibition and behavioral control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inka Ristow
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Insitute for Neurobiology, Department for Behavioral Neurology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Meng Li
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Lejla Colic
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Insitute for Neurobiology, Department for Behavioral Neurology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Marr
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Insitute for Neurobiology, Department for Behavioral Neurology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Carina Födisch
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Insitute for Neurobiology, Department for Behavioral Neurology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Felicia von Düring
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Insitute for Neurobiology, Department for Behavioral Neurology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kolja Schiltz
- Section of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Krasimira Drumkova
- Forensic Psychiatric State Hospital of Saxony-Anhalt, Stendal-Uchtspringe, Germany
| | - Joachim Witzel
- Forensic Psychiatric State Hospital of Saxony-Anhalt, Stendal-Uchtspringe, Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Klaus Beier
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tillmann H C Kruger
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jorge Ponseti
- Institute of Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Kiel University, Medical School, Kiel, Germany
| | - Boris Schiffer
- University of Duisburg-Essen, Institute of Forensic Psychiatry, Essen, Germany; LWL-University Hospital, Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, Bochum, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany; Leibniz Insitute for Neurobiology, Department for Behavioral Neurology, Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Otto von Guericke University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics Tübingen, Germany.
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Lewis A, Grubin D, Ross CC, Das M. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist treatment for sexual offenders: A systematic review. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:1281-1293. [PMID: 28661259 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117714048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual offending is a significant international issue causing long-term consequences for victims, perpetrators and society. AIMS The purpose of this study was to review the existing research data assessing the efficacy of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists for treating adult, male, sexual offenders. METHOD The method of this review involved the examination of studies involving participants prescribed at least one month of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist for the purposes of reducing sexual drive related to offending. The primary outcome measures were recidivism rates and sexual functioning. Secondary outcome measures included assessment of side effects and effects on interpersonal/psychiatric functioning. Studies in the English language that were dated 1969-2015 were included. RESULTS Twelve eligible studies (323 participants) were identified. A reduction in a variety of measures of sexual functioning and/or risk was found in all studies. Robust recidivism data was limited. Medication was rarely described as ineffectual. All studies reported side effects. Reduction in bone density and potential long-term reduction in fertility in some subjects were issues of concern. CONCLUSION Whilst identified studies showed promising results with respect to sexual functioning, challenges in performing randomised control trials in this subject group meant that included studies were methodologically limited. This review recommends that future research must be performed before the effectiveness and tolerability of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonists in this population can be confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Don Grubin
- 2 Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Mrigendra Das
- 3 Broadmoor Hospital, Crowthorne, UK.,4 Top End Mental Health Service, Darwin, Australia
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15
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Tenbergen G, Wittfoth M, Frieling H, Ponseti J, Walter M, Walter H, Beier KM, Schiffer B, Kruger THC. The Neurobiology and Psychology of Pedophilia: Recent Advances and Challenges. Front Hum Neurosci 2015; 9:344. [PMID: 26157372 PMCID: PMC4478390 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2014] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A pedophilic disorder is recognized for its impairment to the individual and for the harm it may cause to others. Pedophilia is often considered a side issue and research into the nature of pedophilia is delayed in comparison to research into other psychiatric disorders. However, with the increasing use of neuroimaging techniques, such as functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI, fMRI), together with neuropsychological studies, we are increasing our knowledge of predisposing and accompanying factors contributing to pedophilia development. At the same time, we are faced with methodological challenges, such as group differences between studies, including age, intelligence, and comorbidities, together with a lack of careful assessment and control of child sexual abuse. Having this in mind, this review highlights the most important studies investigating pedophilia, with a strong emphasis on (neuro-) biological studies, combined with a brief explanation of research into normal human sexuality. We focus on some of the recent theories on the etiology of pedophilia such as the concept of a general neurodevelopmental disorder and/or alterations of structure and function in frontal, temporal, and limbic brain areas. With this approach, we aim to not only provide an update and overview but also a framework for future research and to address one of the most significant questions of how pedophilia may be explained by neurobiological and developmental alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilian Tenbergen
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
| | - Matthias Wittfoth
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
| | - Helge Frieling
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry, and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
| | - Jorge Ponseti
- Department of Sexual Medicine, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein , Kiel , Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory, Medical Faculty University Hospital Magdeburg , Magdeburg , Germany
| | - Henrik Walter
- Division of Mind and Brain Research, Charité - University Clinic Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Klaus M Beier
- Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité - University Clinic Berlin , Berlin , Germany
| | - Boris Schiffer
- Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy, and Preventive Medicine, LWL-University Hospital Bochum , Bochum , Germany
| | - Tillmann H C Kruger
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School , Hannover , Germany
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16
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Phillips EA, Rajender A, Douglas T, Brandon AF, Munarriz R. Sex Offenders Seeking Treatment for Sexual Dysfunction--Ethics, Medicine, and the Law. J Sex Med 2015; 12:1591-600. [PMID: 26060942 DOI: 10.1111/jsm.12920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The treatment of sexual dysfunction in patients with prior sexual offenses poses ethical and legal dilemmas. Sex offenders are not obligated by law to disclose this history to medical professionals. Over 20% of sex offenders experience sexual dysfunction; however, the number of sex offenders seeking evaluation for sexual dysfunction is unknown. AIMS The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and characteristics of sex offenders seeking treatment in our clinic; and to review data regarding sex offender recidivism and ethics pertaining to the issue as it relates to treating physicians. METHODS Sex offenders were identified via three methods: new patient screening in a dedicated sexual medicine clinic, chart review of those on intracavernosal injection (ICI) therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED), and review of patient's status-post placement of penile prosthesis. Charts were cross-referenced with the U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website. Patient characteristics and details of offenses were collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome measures used were a self-reported sexual offense and national registry data. RESULTS Eighteen male sex offenders were identified: 13 via new patient screening; 3 by review of ICI patients; 1 by review of penile prosthesis data; and 1 prior to penile prosthesis placement. All were primarily referred for ED. Of those with known offenses, 64% were level 3 offenders (most likely to re-offend). The same number had committed crimes against children. All those with complete data had multiple counts of misconduct (average 3.6). Ninety-four percent (17/18) had publicly funded health care. Twelve (67%) were previously treated for sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Registered sex offenders are seeking and receiving treatment for sexual dysfunction. It is unknown whether treatment of sexual dysfunction increases the risk of recidivism of sexual offenses. Physicians currently face a difficult choice in deciding whether to treat sexual dysfunction in sex offenders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Douglas
- Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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17
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van der Gronde T, Kempes M, van El C, Rinne T, Pieters T. Neurobiological correlates in forensic assessment: a systematic review. PLoS One 2014; 9:e110672. [PMID: 25330208 PMCID: PMC4203816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the increased knowledge of biological risk factors, interest in including this information in forensic assessments is growing. Currently, forensic assessments are predominantly focused on psychosocial factors. A better understanding of the neurobiology of violent criminal behaviour and biological risk factors could improve forensic assessments. OBJECTIVE To provide an overview of the current evidence about biological risk factors that predispose people to antisocial and violent behaviour, and determine its usefulness in forensic assessment. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted using articles from PsycINFO, Embase and Pubmed published between 2000 and 2013. RESULTS This review shows that much research on the relationship between genetic predisposition and neurobiological alterations with aggression is performed on psychiatric patients or normal populations. However, the number of studies comparing offenders is limited. There is still a great need to understand how genetic and neurobiological alterations and/or deficits are related to violent behaviour, specifically criminality. Most studies focus on only one of the genetic or neurobiological fields related to antisocial and/or violent behaviour. To reliably correlate the findings of these fields, a standardization of methodology is urgently needed. CONCLUSION Findings from the current review suggest that violent aggression, like all forms of human behaviour, both develops under specific genetic and environmental conditions, and requires interplay between these conditions. Violence should be considered as the end product of a chain of life events, during which risks accumulate and potentially reinforce each other, displaying or triggering a specific situation. This systematic review did not find evidence of predispositions or neurobiological alterations that solely explain antisocial or violent behaviour. With better designed studies, more correlation between diverse fields, and more standardisation, it might be possible to elucidate underlying mechanisms. Thus, we advocate maintaining the current case-by-case differentiated approach to evidence-based forensic assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toon van der Gronde
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), and Freudenthal Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike Kempes
- Netherlands Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Pieter Baan Center, Forensic Psychiatric Observation Clinic, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Carla van El
- Section Community Genetics, Department of Clinical Genetics and EMGO+, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Thomas Rinne
- Netherlands Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Pieter Baan Center, Forensic Psychiatric Observation Clinic, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Toine Pieters
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), and Freudenthal Institute, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Turner D, Basdekis-Jozsa R, Dekker A, Briken P. Which factors influence the appropriateness of testosterone-lowering medications for sex offenders? A survey among clinicians from German forensic-psychiatric institutions. World J Biol Psychiatry 2014; 15:472-8. [PMID: 24219802 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2013.839052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although testosterone-lowering medications (TLM) are a frequently used addition to psychotherapy in sex offender treatment, discord still seems to exist amongst clinicians as to in which cases administering TLM is justified. The depo-Provera scale (DPS), which was published by Maletzky and Field (Aggress Violent Behav 2003;8:391), assesses the appropriateness of TLM administration in sex offender treatment. METHODS The DPS was sent to all forensic psychiatric institutions in Germany. The clinical directors of these institutions were asked to rate the importance of each item of the DPS on a six-point Likert scale. RESULTS Twenty-nine clinicians participated. The most important reason selected for the prescription of TLM for sex offender treatment was a "history of sexual offender treatment failure". The least important item was "deviant sexual interest, by plethysmograph or Abel Screen" (neither plethysmograph nor Abel Screen is used in Germany). CONCLUSIONS Clinicians' attitudes towards the DPS correspond to the suggestions made in the current WSFBF-guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of sex offenders (Thibaut et al. 2010 ; World J Biol Psychiatry 11:604-655). Use of the DPS could therefore contribute to a more structured approach towards helping clinicians come to a decision about whether or not to treat a sex offender with TLM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Turner
- Institute for Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg , Germany
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Jordan K, Fromberger P, Laubinger H, Dechent P, Müller JL. Changed processing of visual sexual stimuli under GnRH-therapy--a single case study in pedophilia using eye tracking and fMRI. BMC Psychiatry 2014; 14:142. [PMID: 24885644 PMCID: PMC4036749 DOI: 10.1186/1471-244x-14-142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiandrogen therapy (ADT) has been used for 30 years to treat pedophilic patients. The aim of the treatment is a reduction in sexual drive and, in consequence, a reduced risk of recidivism. Yet the therapeutic success of antiandrogens is uncertain especially regarding recidivism. Meta-analyses and reviews report only moderate and often mutually inconsistent effects. CASE PRESENTATION Based on the case of a 47 year old exclusively pedophilic forensic inpatient, we examined the effectiveness of a new eye tracking method and a new functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)-design in regard to the evaluation of ADT in pedophiles. We analyzed the potential of these methods in exploring the impact of ADT on automatic and controlled attentional processes in pedophiles. Eye tracking and fMRI measures were conducted before the initial ADT as well as four months after the onset of ADT. The patient simultaneously viewed an image of a child and an image of an adult while eye movements were measured. During the fMRI-measure the same stimuli were presented subliminally. Eye movements demonstrated that controlled attentional processes change under ADT, whereas automatic processes remained mostly unchanged. We assume that these results reflect either the increased ability of the patient to control his eye movements while viewing prepubertal stimuli or his better ability to manipulate his answer in a socially desirable manner. Unchanged automatic attentional processes could reflect the stable pedophilic preference of the patient. Using fMRI, the subliminal presentation of sexually relevant stimuli led to changed activation patterns under the influence of ADT in occipital and parietal brain regions, the hippocampus, and also in the orbitofrontal cortex. We suggest that even at an unconscious level ADT can lead to changed processing of sexually relevant stimuli, reflecting changes of cognitive and perceptive automatic processes. CONCLUSION We are convinced that our experimental designs using eye tracking and fMRI could prospectively add additional and valuable information in the evaluation of ADT in paraphilic patients and sex offenders. But with respect to the limited significance of this single case study, these first results are preliminary and further studies have to be conducted with healthy subjects and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Jordan
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Rosdorfer Weg 70, Göttingen 37081, Germany
| | - Peter Fromberger
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Rosdorfer Weg 70, Göttingen 37081, Germany
| | - Helge Laubinger
- Asklepios Forensic Psychiatric Hospital of Göttingen, Rosdorfer Weg 70, Göttingen 37081, Germany
| | - Peter Dechent
- Department of Cognitive Neurology, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Robert-Koch-St. 40, Göttingen 37075, Germany
| | - Jürgen L Müller
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Rosdorfer Weg 70, Göttingen 37081, Germany
- Asklepios Forensic Psychiatric Hospital of Göttingen, Rosdorfer Weg 70, Göttingen 37081, Germany
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Abstract
Child sexual abuse is one of the most destructive events for healthy child development. Following psychiatric classification systems, pedophilia must be distinguished from child sexual abuse. Approximately only one half of all child abusers fulfill the diagnostic criteria for pedophilia which is defined as a persistent or dominating sexual preference for prepubescent children characterized by persistent thoughts, fantasies, urges, sexual arousal or behavior. This article describes the diagnostic criteria and potential differential diagnoses as well as epidemiological and etiological findings. From an etiological point of view multifactorial mechanisms are currently considered to be responsible especially genetic factors, learning theoretical and neurobiological factors. Psychotherapeutic and pharmaceutical treatment options will be discussed. According to the current state of knowledge cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is the method of choice in the treatment of pedophilia and has demonstrated positive treatment effects in meta-analyses regarding relapse prevention. Medicinal treatment of pedophilia is only indicated for severe forms of pedophilia. Important aspects of risk management in the treatment of pedophilia and aspects which must be considered in the forensic psychiatric assessment are presented.
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[Deviant sexual behaviors, paraphilias, perversions]. Prog Urol 2013; 23:793-803. [PMID: 23830274 DOI: 10.1016/j.purol.2012.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2012] [Accepted: 10/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To know the new concept of paraphilias, their clinical presentation and their link with a personality disorder as perversion, the French legislation concerning them and the different therapeutic options. MATERIAL AND METHODS Review of guidelines published on this subject in the Medline database and a reflexion from our own clinical experience, especially in the judicial expertise. RESULTS Deviant sexual behavior is, in current classifications, known as paraphilia. This clinical entity corresponds to any sexual behavior considered "abnormal" compared with sexual acts in the society where the person lives. It means precisely, firstly, suffering caused by this disorder or deterioration of social, professional, or family life. Paraphilia such as pedophilia have strict age limits. The victim must be aged below 16 years, with an age difference of at least 5 years with the author of the act. Sexual acts which are illegal are crimes or offences according to the degree, and are sanctioned by the law. In ordinary terms, they are known as perverts, committing perversions. This concept is different from that of paraphilia, a pervert can have, or not have, paraphiliac behavior. In order to diagnose a personality disorder such as perversion, all the criteria must be included: narcissism, use of a person as an object for pleasure, with, primarily, mechanisms of denial and a split personality which removes any feeling of guilt from the perpetrator. CONCLUSION Medical treatment of paraphilia alone is not satisfactory for the denial mechanism is such that only the sex drive is affected with a high risk of recurrence. Only psychotherapy can modify the pathological element of a perverted personality.
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Turner D, Basdekis‐Jozsa R, Briken P. Prescription of Testosterone‐Lowering Medications for Sex Offender Treatment in German Forensic‐Psychiatric Institutions. J Sex Med 2013; 10:570-8. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02958.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Highlighting the relationship between sexual disorders and crime, reviewing and summarizing the articles published throughout 2011 which add to the current knowledge on this subject. RECENT FINDINGS Studies on specific populations confirm the association between sexual disorders and crime, particularly between paraphilias and sexual crimes regarding male offenders. Female offenders are less likely to be diagnosed with a sexual disorder. Some case reports focus on unusual paraphilias and lead us to question the vast possibilities of paraphilic contents and sexual arousal patterns. The variations of paraphilic-associated sexual arousal patterns, unconventional sex behaviors or paraphilic disorders are constantly changing. In this sense, the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5 current proposals for a sexual dysfunction diagnostic category are under intense discussion because of their important clinical and forensic consequences. SUMMARY Sexual violence is a theme not well understood yet. Because of its nature, researching it can raise many ethical problems. There is no possibility of clinical trials and of case-control studies. Even cohort studies may be problematic in themselves. So, most of the research involves biased samples or case reports, or is merely theoretical. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of the subject, so that preventive and rehabilitative measures can be taken.
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Fromberger P, Jordan K, Steinkrauss H, von Herder J, Witzel J, Stolpmann G, Kröner-Herwig B, Müller JL. Diagnostic accuracy of eye movements in assessing pedophilia. J Sex Med 2012; 9:1868-82. [PMID: 22548761 DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02754.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given that recurrent sexual interest in prepubescent children is one of the strongest single predictors for pedosexual offense recidivism, valid and reliable diagnosis of pedophilia is of particular importance. Nevertheless, current assessment methods still fail to fulfill psychometric quality criteria. AIMS The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of eye-movement parameters in regard to pedophilic sexual preferences. METHOD Eye movements were measured while 22 pedophiles (according to ICD-10 F65.4 diagnosis), 8 non-pedophilic forensic controls, and 52 healthy controls simultaneously viewed the picture of a child and the picture of an adult. Fixation latency was assessed as a parameter for automatic attentional processes and relative fixation time to account for controlled attentional processes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, which are based on calculated age-preference indices, were carried out to determine the classifier performance. Cross-validation using the leave-one-out method was used to test the validity of classifiers. RESULTS Pedophiles showed significantly shorter fixation latencies and significantly longer relative fixation times for child stimuli than either of the control groups. Classifier performance analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.902 for fixation latency and an AUC = 0.828 for relative fixation time. The eye-tracking method based on fixation latency discriminated between pedophiles and non-pedophiles with a sensitivity of 86.4% and a specificity of 90.0%. Cross-validation demonstrated good validity of eye-movement parameters. CONCLUSIONS Despite some methodological limitations, measuring eye movements seems to be a promising approach to assess deviant pedophilic interests. Eye movements, which represent automatic attentional processes, demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Fromberger
- Department for Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
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