Biology, childhood trauma, and murder: Rethinking justice

Neurobiology of violence in children and adolescents

“…The frontal lobe and its dysfunction have long been associated with antisocial behaviour (27). Regions of the prefrontal cortex are responsible for executive functions such as impulse control, reasoning, and decision making (28). People with lesions of the frontal cortex show changes in emotionality and personality, which include a higher level of reactive, but not instrumental aggression (27).…”

“…However, early brain development during the prenatal and postnatal period is particularly sensitive to different adverse environmental impacts (4) which should be taken into consideration when interpreting the results obtained in studies of violence. Atrophy of neurons in the right hemisphere, and the reduction of the volume of the hippocampus, which is important in verbal and emotional memories, is influenced by childhood trauma (28). Some neurobiological factors may also explain the persistence of violent behaviour (4).…”

“…Although it is possible that genetic factors are of great importance in the functioning of the HPA axis, a number of studies show that abuse and neglect in the early years of life is of considerable importance in the functioning of this system later. Traumatic stress results in a series of neurobiological changes that may sensitize children to aggression and other forms of antisocial behaviour (28). There are also links between childhood abuse and abnormalities in the cingulate cortex and corpus callosum (4) and EEG abnormalities in the frontal and temporal regions of the left hemisphere (28).…”

“…Traumatic stress results in a series of neurobiological changes that may sensitize children to aggression and other forms of antisocial behaviour (28). There are also links between childhood abuse and abnormalities in the cingulate cortex and corpus callosum (4) and EEG abnormalities in the frontal and temporal regions of the left hemisphere (28). Low levels of cortisol cannot entirely explain the different forms of antisocial behaviour in children and adolescents.…”

“…Low MAO activity is also related to aggressiveness, while the interaction of serotonin and this enzyme with experiences in early childhood increases the risk of antisocial behaviour in adulthood (15,41). There is also an interaction between serotonergic and the HPA axis (28). In recent decades, sleep disorders have also been associated with aggressive behaviour in children.…”