Prefrontal Cortex Cause Effect Essay

Does dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex lead to antisocial behaviour?

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The development of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) contributes to the human capacity to modulate emotions. This ability is significant as disruption due to brain dysfunction can have harmful effects on an individual’s capability to function adaptively in society. However, the idea that the PFC has a significant role in the regulation of aggression and violence has been challenged by studies that highlight the complexity of the multiple causes of antisocial behaviour and consequences of having an impaired PFC. Yet through brain imaging, modern research have shown a relationship between dysfunction of the PFC and antisocial behaviour.

Studies have shown a link between alcoholism and cognitive deficits; one theory that explores this is the “frontal lobe hypothesis”. This is based on the idea of a “specific vulnerability of the

One of the causes found by Rantakallio, Laarra, Isohanni, and Moilanen (1992) is nicotine exposure to a foetus. They found that the offspring of mothers who smoked were twice as likely to have a criminal record by the age of 22, compared to the offspring of mothers who were non-smokers. This study shows “the significant link between smoking during pregnancy and later conduct disorder and violent offending” (Raine & Adrain, 2002). Furthermore, one cause of ADP is deficiency in nutrition as Neugebauer, Hoek and Susser (1999) found a causal relationship of malnutrition and antisocial behaviour during WW2. When Germany was withdrawing food from Holland pregnant women suffered severe malnutrition and their male offspring were found to have 2.5 times the rates of ADP compared to the offspring that did not suffer nutritional deficits. Both studies show that dysfunction of the PFC is not the only cause of antisocial behaviour as there appear to be a number factors