Pedophilia may be the result of faulty brain wiring

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For Immediate Release November 28, 2007 (TORONTO) Pedophilia might be the result of faulty connections in the brain, as per 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, reported in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, challenges the usually 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.

Prior 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 shouldnt be held criminally responsible for their actions, said Dr. James Cantor, CAMH Psychology expert and lead scientist of the study, Not being able to choose your sexual interests doesnt mean you cant 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 took part 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 worlds foremost centres for the research and diagnosis of pedophilia and other sexual disorders.


Posted by: JoAnn    Source