MRIs link pedophilia to problems in brain development
TORONTO, Nov. 28 /PRNewswire/ - Pedophilia might be the result of
faulty connections in the brain, according to new research released by the
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The study used MRIs and a
sophisticated computer analysis technique to compare a group of pedophiles
with a group of non-sexual criminals. The pedophiles had significantly less
of a substance called "white matter" which is responsible for wiring the
different parts of the brain together.
The study, published in the Journal of Psychiatry Research, challenges
the commonly held belief that pedophilia is brought on by childhood trauma
or abuse. This finding is the strongest evidence yet that pedophilia is
instead the result of a problem in brain development.
Previous research from this team has strongly hinted that the key to
understanding pedophilia might be in how the brain develops. Pedophiles
have lower IQs, are three times more likely to be left-handed, and even
tend to be physically shorter than non-pedophiles.
"There is nothing in this research that says pedophiles shouldn't be
held criminally responsible for their actions," said Dr. James Cantor, CAMH
Psychologist and lead scientist of the study, "Not being able to choose
your sexual interests doesn't mean you can't choose what you do."
This discovery suggests that much more research attention should be
paid to how the brain governs sexual interests. Such information could
potentially yield strategies for preventing the development of pedophilia.
A total of 127 men participated in the study; approximately equal
numbers of pedophiles and non-sexual offenders.
The Kurt Freund Laboratory at CAMH was established in 1968 and remains
one of the world's foremost centers for the research and diagnosis of
pedophilia and other sexual disorders.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is one of the leading
addiction and mental health organizations in North America and Canada's
largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital. Integrating clinical
care, scientific research, education, policy development and health
promotion, CAMH transforms the lives of people impacted by mental health
and addiction issues.
CAMH is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization
Collaborating Centre, and is fully affiliated with the University of
Toronto.
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SOURCE Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
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CONTACT:
or to arrange interviews please contact
Michael Torres, Media Relations, CAMH at (416) 595-6015
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