Violence, Criminal Behavior, and the EEG: Significance of Left Hemispheric Focal Abnormalities



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	Other Violence/Aggression

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 11:454-457, November 1999
© 1999 American Psychiatric Press, Inc.

Violence, Criminal Behavior, and the EEG

Significance of Left Hemispheric Focal Abnormalities

Frank Pillmann, Dr. med., Anke Rohde, Prof. Dr. med., Simone Ullrich, Dipl.-Psych., Steffi Draba, Dr. med., Ursel Sannemüller, Dr. med. and Andreas Marneros, Prof. Dr. med.

Received December 21, 1998; revised April 13, 1999; accepted May 20, 1999. From the Department of Psychiatry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. Address correspondence to Dr. Pillmann, Department of Psychiatry, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06097 Halle (Saale), Germany.

The authors studied the relationship of EEG abnormalities andviolent criminal behavior in 222 defendants referred for psychiatricevaluation. There was no connection between the number of violentoffenses and EEG abnormalities in general. Focal abnormalities,however, especially of the left hemisphere, were related toa significantly higher number of violent offenses. In many casesthese abnormalities were accompanied by mental retardation,epilepsy, or earlier brain damage. The findings suggest thatimpairment of left hemisphere functions may enhance the propensityfor violent behavior in a subgroup of offenders.

Key Words: Electroencephalography • Violence • Forensic Psychiatry

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