This is a truly thorny topic - which might explain why it doesn’t get much discussion…..so i thought i'd give it a controversial thread title
In a nutshell, the argument is that many of society’s impulsive murderers are chemically predisposed to violence due to a coincidence of high testosterone and low serotonin levels……
Serotonin seems to act as a “brake” on aggressive behaviour - and so people with a serotonin deficiency may be unable to control their anger….
What’s more, serotonin deficiency seems to result from child abuse or serious neglect….
Should this change our view of murderers?
Should we be looking to “screen” people to find those with potential imbalances?
Are there ways to restore this chemical imbalance?
It’s a hornet’s nest…..and it’s just been well and truly kicked…..what do you think?
http://www.forensic-serotonin.com/
More than 30 years of peer-reviewed, international scientific research indicates that there is a link between abnormally low serotonin (a natural brain chemical) and impulsive versus premeditated murder. In fact men who premeditated on their crimes had normal to high serotonin.
Abnormally low serotonin activity in the brain has been specifically linked to intermittent explosive disorder (DSM IV), violent suicide, panic, and unrestrained aggression (rage).
My associates at Vanderbilt University Medical School and I have successfully introduced serotonin evidence as penalty phase mitigation in numerous capital murder cases since 1996. In one case the evidence was successfully introduced during the guilt/innocent phase.
http://www.snapnetwork.org/psych_effects/how_abuse_andneglect.htm
These new neurobiological findings show that trauma - physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect - dramatically affects both the structure and chemistry of the developing brain, thus causing the behavioral and learning problems that plague about three-quarters of the children mired in the child welfare system.
Several studies now document that abuse damages key brain structures such as the cortex, which is associated with rational thinking, and the hippocampus, which helps process memories and emotions. Both brain regions are critical for learning.
Abuse also damages the amygdala, an almond-shaped cluster of nuclei located in the brain's emotional control center that enables us to respond quickly to danger - say, to step out of the way of a swerving car. But repeated abuse causes the amygdala to signal danger even when there is no apparent threat.
This negative impact on developing brain structures is associated with changes in brain chemistry. Overwhelming stress early in life also alters the production of both the stress-regulating hormone cortisol and key neurotransmitters such as epinephrine, dopamine and serotonin, the chemical messengers in the brain that affect mood and behavior.
These biochemical imbalances can have profound implications. For example, abuse typically lowers serotonin levels, leading to depression and impulsive aggression
