Brain self-regulation training might reduce the neurological correlates of psychopathy in violent criminals

Psychopathy is a disorder characterized by lack of empathy and remorse, antisocial behavior, increased tendencies towards aggression and anger, and blunted anticipatory fear. It is also dramatically over-represented in penal populations and especially among violent criminals.

The origins of psychopathy, even its very nature as a disorder, are widely debated. Importantly, it is not known whether psychopathy is treatable or not. While a recent proof-of-concept study published in PLoS ONE doesn’t address this directly, it does provide some evidence that self-regulation and what the authors call a “constructive learning process” can reduce some of the neurological correlates of psychopathy and predictors of violent behavior.

“Investigating brains and behavior of offenders, including those with psychopathy, is of special interest for us because the aim to establish effective treatments for offenders is closely linked to a reduction in the number and severity of offenses,” explained study author Lilian Konicar, the director of the ABC Brain Lab at the Medical University of Vienna.
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