NCJ Number
138011
Journal
Arch Neurol Volume: 49 Dated: (June 1992) Pages: 595-603
Date Published
1992
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Through a review of animal and human research studies, this article discusses the neural substrate of aggression and violence, types of violence, and physiologic and environmental correlates of violence.
Abstract
Experimental work with animals and clinical studies of humans have shown that the capacity for aggression, as well as for its control, is vested in a system of neuronal assemblies, both excitatory and inhibitory, which are situated bilaterally in the orbitofrontal cortex, the septal area, hippocampus, amygdala, head of caudate nucleus, thalamus, ventromedial and posterioa hypothalamic nuclei, midbrain tegmenium, and in the fastigial nuclei and anterior lobe of the cerebellum. Three types of violence typically associated with neurological disorders are episodic dyscontrol, which is manifested in highly emotionally charged periodic bouts of aggression and violence; psychopathic violence, which is manifested in cold and callous predatory aggression; and compulsive violence, which is manifested in an inability to inhibit obsessions and compulsions that involve attacks on others. The article notes that age, gender, and genetics are other physiological correlates of violence. In its discussion of environmental correlates of violence, the article advises that the current epidemic of both interpersonal and collective violence is largely due to social conditions and a decline in the power of cultural constraints, rather than to a sudden proliferation of biologic disorders. 105 references