Brain Abnormalities, PET Scan- Raine 1997

Brain Abnormalities, PET Scan- Raine 1997

1. AIM

   • To measure brain activity associated with violence
     • Comparison between a group of murderers and non murderers
     • Does it vary?

2. METHOD

   • 2 groups
     • 41 participants in each
     • Group 1- participants accussed of murder, but pleading guilty by insanity
     • Group 2- matched control group of non murderers
   • Groups were matched on a basis of age, sex and schizophrenia

3. PROCEDURE

   • Murderers (group 1) sent for brain scanning
     • Enable us to identify activity in the brain
       • Which parts are using more glucose/ energy
   • Both groups were then injected with a tracer substance
     • Substance= glucose mixed with radioactive tracer
     • Revealing which areas of the brain are more active
   • They then took part in a CPT scan
     • Detecting certain signals for 32mins
     • Once completed a PET scan was given
       • Revealing levels of activity in different areas of the brain

4. RESULTS

   • PARIETAL CORTEX- less activity
     • Linked with verbal ability- lower educational achievement
   • PRE-FRONTAL CORTEX- less activity
     • Linked to self control
       • Little/no control over violent impulses
   • CORPUS CALLOSSUM- less activity
     • Linked to self control
   • LIMBIC SYSTEM-
     • Linked to expression and emotion
       • RIGHT SIDE (THALAMUS)
         • More activity
       • LEFT SIDE (AMYGLADA+HIPPOCAMPUS)
         • Less Activity
           • CONCLUSION- aggression and such behaviour is biologically and not environmentally caused