Science

erronis

(23,662 posts) Sun Mar 15, 2026, 12:52 PM Yesterday

Brain scans reveal link between thinner brain cortex regions and higher psychopathic traits

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-brain-scans-reveal-link-thinner.html

I hope we get autopsies of the perpetrators of this disaster of a regime when Orrex's question is finally answered in the affirmative.

A team of researchers from Spain was curious to know if people with high psychopathic traits have anomalies in the brain's physical structures, which make them incapable of feeling regret or capable of manipulation and other antisocial behavior. They conducted an experiment in which they interviewed men convicted of intimate partner violence (IPV) and a control group with no history of violence to measure their psychopathic traits, followed by brain scans.

The results showed that men with thinner cortex in certain brain regions--particularly fronto-temporo-parietal areas--tended to display higher antisocial tendencies, regardless of their history of violence.

Fronto-temporo-parietal cortex regions refer to parts of the brain's outer layer, which houses gray matter and supports functions such as sensory processing, motor control, and higher cognitive activities. The findings further reinforce a broader idea in neuroscience that regions in these brain regions play a major role in shaping behaviors such as callousness, a lack of empathy, and manipulative tendencies.

The findings are published in Aggression and Violent Behavior.

Markers of psychopathy

Psychopathy is a neuropsychiatric disorder that affects how people feel, think, and control their behavior. Individuals with strong psychopathic traits often show little empathy for others, have shallow emotional responses, and struggle with impulse control. Even though they make up only a small portion of the population, people with psychopathic traits are linked to a surprisingly large share of serious crime.

. . .

More information
Angel Romero-Martinez et al, Reduced cortical thickness in fronto-temporo-parietal regions associated with high psychopathic traits: Conclusions of a review and an empirical study with intimate partner violence perpetrators, Aggression and Violent Behavior (2026). DOI: 10.1016/j.avb.2026.102134

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Brain scans reveal link between thinner brain cortex regions and higher psychopathic traits (Original Post) erronis Yesterday OP

I didn't read the entire article, I'll admit... slightlv 15 hrs ago #1

Good questions (about knowing the brain construction pre- and post- birth). Don't know, either, but erronis 5 hrs ago #2

You do have to wonder, Bayard 2 hrs ago #3

slightlv

(7,767 posts)

1. I didn't read the entire article, I'll admit...

Reply to erronis (Original post)

Sun Mar 15, 2026, 11:02 PM

15 hrs ago

I've got some housecleaning going on here, as well as popping in to see what's up around here...

But one thing I'm wondering about... would these brain regions (frontal/temporal/parietal) show these same signs at the beginning of life? Is there a way to view and measure them before birth... or in childhood? We know that kids who abuse and kill small animals tend to grow up as psychopaths and sociopaths who do great harm to society around here... and are more likely to murder/kill someone in adulthood. If these types of "brain abnormalities" show up before... or even shortly after... birth, is there a way to turn the situation around and correct it before too many years (and behaviors) show themselves?

Second, but linked to the first... is this brain region subject more to nature or to nurture? The enlarged amygdala present in conservative, cruelty-first brains is at least partially enhanced by family, friends, and environment the person is subjected to on an ongoing basis. Is the same true of this brain region? What kind of treatments could be devised to shrink the amygdala and grow the cortex in these "fronto" regions?

I'm not going to be around to see what gets one and how, but we ARE going to have to finally discuss some sort of treatment plans for these types of individuals. Magas aren't going to just crawl under a rock once they're dear leader is gone. We have to find some way to "deprogram" them and fit them firmly into society with civilized behavior. We don't want to be cruel... we're democrats and generally empathetic people. But we will have to find a way to bring these people back to the path of civilized society... because the only other options are to either ignore them (and we're seeing now what that brings)... or deport them to a country, etc., all of their own, for example. It's something my head turns to thinking about when I need a break from all the current cruelty.

erronis

(23,662 posts)

2. Good questions (about knowing the brain construction pre- and post- birth). Don't know, either, but

Reply to slightlv (Reply #1)

Mon Mar 16, 2026, 09:15 AM

5 hrs ago

finding non-correctable anomalies early on and then "doing something" about them seems to veer towards a form of society that we probably don't want.

Bayard

(29,466 posts)

3. You do have to wonder,

Reply to erronis (Original post)

Mon Mar 16, 2026, 11:57 AM

2 hrs ago

What kind of people trump, Miller, and company, would have turned out to be if there had been some kind of intervention early on. But, you would have to figure out how to test all babies, what percentage of abhorrent behavior should be allowable, and resolve the ethical questions. Parents would undoubtedly object.

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