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| Paedophiles' brains 'different' | Paedophiles' brains 'different' |
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| Scientists say distinct differences in the brain activity of paedophiles have been found using scanning technology. | Scientists say distinct differences in the brain activity of paedophiles have been found using scanning technology. |
| A Yale University team found activity in parts of paedophiles' brains were lower than in other volunteers when shown adult, erotic material. | A Yale University team found activity in parts of paedophiles' brains were lower than in other volunteers when shown adult, erotic material. |
| The journal Biological Psychiatry said this was the first real-time evidence of differences in thought patterns. | The journal Biological Psychiatry said this was the first real-time evidence of differences in thought patterns. |
| A forensic psychologist from the UK said drug treatments for paedophilia might be possible. | A forensic psychologist from the UK said drug treatments for paedophilia might be possible. |
| This deficit may predispose individuals who are vulnerable to paedophilia to seek other forms of stimulation Dr John Krystal, Editor, Biological Psychiatry | This deficit may predispose individuals who are vulnerable to paedophilia to seek other forms of stimulation Dr John Krystal, Editor, Biological Psychiatry |
| There is increasing evidence that problems in certain areas of the brain may contribute to feelings of sexual attraction towards children. | |
| In a few cases, patients with a brain tumour in a particular part of the brain have developed such feelings, only for them to go away when the tumour was removed. | In a few cases, patients with a brain tumour in a particular part of the brain have developed such feelings, only for them to go away when the tumour was removed. |
| The Yale study used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), a technique which allows the activity within the brain to be recorded as the patient is thinking. | The Yale study used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), a technique which allows the activity within the brain to be recorded as the patient is thinking. |
| They found that when known patients with paedophilic feelings were asked to look at adult pornography, a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is known to be involved in arousal and hormone release, was less active than in other volunteers. | They found that when known patients with paedophilic feelings were asked to look at adult pornography, a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, which is known to be involved in arousal and hormone release, was less active than in other volunteers. |
| More generally, the more extreme the paedophilic behaviour was rated, the lower the activation in a part of the brain called the "frontal cortex". | More generally, the more extreme the paedophilic behaviour was rated, the lower the activation in a part of the brain called the "frontal cortex". |
| However, Dr John Krystal, the journal's editor, said he didn't know whether this particular pattern of brain activity could be used to predict someone's risk of paedophilia. | However, Dr John Krystal, the journal's editor, said he didn't know whether this particular pattern of brain activity could be used to predict someone's risk of paedophilia. |
| But he said: "The findings provide clues to the complexity of this disorder, and this deficit may predispose individuals who are vulnerable to paedophilia to seek other forms of stimulation." | But he said: "The findings provide clues to the complexity of this disorder, and this deficit may predispose individuals who are vulnerable to paedophilia to seek other forms of stimulation." |
| Drug treatment | Drug treatment |
| Lead researcher Dr Georg Northoff added: "Our results may thus be seen as the first step towards establishing a neurobiology of paedophilia which ultimately may contribute to the development of new and effective means of therapies for this debilitating disorder." | Lead researcher Dr Georg Northoff added: "Our results may thus be seen as the first step towards establishing a neurobiology of paedophilia which ultimately may contribute to the development of new and effective means of therapies for this debilitating disorder." |
| In the UK, many experts are looking to the biology of the brain to explain not just paedophilia, but other types of compulsive criminality. | In the UK, many experts are looking to the biology of the brain to explain not just paedophilia, but other types of compulsive criminality. |
| Dr Keith Ashcroft, a forensic psychologist at the Centre for Forensic Neuroscience, in Lancashire, said that other evidence pointed to problems in the pre-frontal cortex of the brain being linked to paedophilic thoughts. | Dr Keith Ashcroft, a forensic psychologist at the Centre for Forensic Neuroscience, in Lancashire, said that other evidence pointed to problems in the pre-frontal cortex of the brain being linked to paedophilic thoughts. |
| He said: "Sexual behaviour is very complex, especially as some people are not aroused by visual stimuli, but by touch instead. | He said: "Sexual behaviour is very complex, especially as some people are not aroused by visual stimuli, but by touch instead. |
| "I am campaigning for the use of anti-schizophrenia drugs in paedophilia, as these act on a similar part of the brain and may be useful." | "I am campaigning for the use of anti-schizophrenia drugs in paedophilia, as these act on a similar part of the brain and may be useful." |