Brain tumour causes uncontrollable paedophilia

Virulent Dryad · 05-31-2006, 01:02 PM

The sudden and uncontrollable paedophilia exhibited by a 40-year-old man was caused by an egg-sized brain tumour, his doctors have told a scientific conference. And once the tumour had been removed, his sex-obsession disappeared.

The cancer was located in the right lobe of the orbifrontal cortex, which is known to be tied to judgment, impulse control and social behaviour. But neurologists Russell Swerdlow and Jeffrey Burns, of the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, believe it is the first reported case linking damage to the region with paedophilia.

"We're dealing with the neurology of morality here," says Swerdlow. Since the area does not affect physical health, "it's one of those areas where you could have a lot of damage and a doctor would never suspect something's wrong," he says.

"He wasn't faking," says Burns. "But if someone argues that every paedophile needs a MRI, the difference in this case was that the patient had a normal history before he acquired the problem. Most paedophiles develop problems early on in life."
Massage parlours

The man, a schoolteacher, began secretly visiting child pornography web sites and soliciting prostitutes at massage parlours, activities he had not engaged in previously. Swerdlow says while the man felt that his new behaviour was unacceptable, "in his words, the 'pleasure principle' overrode his restraint".

When the man's wife found out he had made subtle sexual advances towards young children, he was legally evicted from his house, found guilty of child molestation and medicated for paedophilia.

The judge ruled that he had to pass a 12-step Sexaholics Anonymous rehabilitation program or face jail time. But the man was expelled after he failed to restrain himself from asking women at the program for sex.

The evening before his prison sentencing he took himself to a hospital complaining of headache and saying he was afraid he would **** his landlady.
Balance problems

After he was remanded to psychiatric care, he complained of balance problems and a MRI scan revealed an egg-sized brain tumour. Further tests found the man was also unable to write or copy drawings and was unconcerned when he urinated on himself.

But seven months after the tumour was removed, and after successfully completing the Sexaholics Anonymous program, the man returned home. In October 2001 he complained of headaches and secretly collected pornography once more. But after a MRI scan revealed tumour regrowth and it was removed, the behaviour again disappeared.

Swerdlow suggests that physicians who see personality changes coupled with an inability to write or copy pictures may now want to consider brain disease as a possible cause.

Behavioural neurologist David Rosenfield, of the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, says: "They have an interesting patient. I would wonder whether the tumour caused hormonal changes." Rosenfield thinks further research should investigate whether other problems with the orbifrontal cortex can be linked to paedophilia.

Burns and Swerdlow presented their findings in New York at the annual meeting of the American Neurological Association.

Source - http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2943

Dead Angel · 06-13-2006, 08:52 AM

So tumors can change values held within the brain's memory?

Kill the fucker, or give him a new face and put him of a unofficial list. That is all. If he 'regresses' then kill.

Wise Child · 06-13-2006, 08:56 AM

No one fully understands everything the brain can do. So, in theory, yes - it possibly could have changed his values.

I strongly disagree that someone should be killed for an involuntary illness.

Moral panic much?...

Puppet Master · 06-13-2006, 10:17 AM

I am all for capital punishment and death to those who have harmed others sexually, but if i was due to a tumour then he cant be held responsible for his actions.

Such things are intriging though, if one where to tap into the right areas of the brain one could create a souldier with virtually no emmotions, the perfect killer =/....hmmm interestting.

Sobeh · 06-15-2006, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puppet Master

I am all for capital punishment and death...

I never understand this. With no proof of what happens after death, seems to me that the worst to be done to an offender would be to maximize their life while minimizing their ability to enjoy it.

As to the neurology... well, it's closer and closer to the determination that people are by and large less responsible than the legal system has it nowadays. Not that this is accurate or realistic, but it nevertheless trends that way. Seems that a future-looking scenario might be someone's DNA being admitted in court as evidence for their being forced to do something, and a short hop from there to certain preventative measures being taken at birth or before.

So very thorny. I hope I am around to see the issue arise.

aspendeath · 06-16-2006, 02:15 AM

If we start killing people that look at child porn, that's a slippery slope that'll lead to killing every sort of criminal.

Puppet Master · 06-16-2006, 04:06 PM

Look at the long run, we will save tons of money in using taxes to feed criminals.

Also if anyone says that capital punishment works out more costly, well thats only because everyone wants to use fancy methords, when a simpe rope or an axe does the job just fine.

SweetAbsinthe666 · 07-02-2006, 02:51 PM

Sounds like the game of killing "undesirables" to me. Hitler did fucked himself up this way during the syphillis-fueled madness that we rightly call the "Holocaust" mass murder before he killed himself as well as his family. So I might suggest go and kill the criminal yourself if you want to get rid of him. Of course, I was being sarcastic because of the legality of murdering a criminal just because he's a eugenic waste of reproduction. Now enough of this death penalty fuck-off.

Loy · 07-15-2006, 07:08 AM

SweetAbsinthe-If you couldn't tell by his name, Suicide Commando's just a dipshit hesher who'll be looking at a long career at either A-pumping your gas or B-night manager at Taco Bell after he drops out of high school. Don't let the "bad boy" demeaner fool you into thinking anything else.

ThinkDifferent · 07-15-2006, 02:24 PM

The million dollar question: Is ant-social behavior (speficially paedophilia) a disease? Can it be cured medically? Where does this lead...

ThinkDifferent · 07-15-2006, 02:32 PM

Oh and by the way, get your history right SweetAbsinthe666:It was Stalin who had syphillis, Hitler had alzheimers. He killed his wife-family implies children.

Loy · 07-17-2006, 04:05 PM

Think-Uhh....most historians familiar with the subject actually believe he had syphilis. (Since he excused himself from reporting the physicals all german government officials were supposed to get, we'll never be 100% on that one. However, his physician did believe that the fuhrer did have the disease for a number of reasons). The idea of Stalin having syph? A bit harder to prove. He might have just been nutty.

And FYI, the effects of Alzheimers don't make themselves known until much later in life than when Hitler blew his brains out.

Thinkdifferently? How about "thinking clearly" next time.

ThinkDifferent · 07-20-2006, 04:24 PM

Without wasting too much of my time: There was an article published in Discovery about a year ago asserting Stalin had syphilis on a basis of overlooked clues. I dont remember the Month but you dont strike me as the type that cares much for current facts.

Theres a number of theories about Hitlers mental faculties, no one more credible then the other since all lack evidence. I assumed they took the most popular theory when they made the movie Fallen. If you want to argue whos guess is worth more then some one elses then you might as well Fuck off. I dont have time to listen to you spout stupid shit you half remember from History class 20 years ago. If you want to have a dicussion about history in futur: Ill let you in on a wonderfull new development in the world wide web (they might not had in your day) called GOOGLE.

Wise Child · 07-20-2006, 07:27 PM

*laughs until tears come*

And the greatest intellectual tool ThinkDifferent can suggest is... GOOGLE!

Oh, the irony...

*sniffles*

Puppet Master · 07-22-2006, 08:43 AM

Is Suicide Commadno supposed to be me o_O?!

I support capital punishment, as if a being kills another, then in my opinion they have sacrificed there rights by taking the life of another, so as punishment should recieve death as they gave to there victems.

I dont know why this makes me a dipshit, its my personal opinion is my own, and if no one likes it I dont care.

Feeble Minded · 07-23-2006, 10:11 PM

A much better site for information is en.wikipedia.org. That place has got me in the clear so many times i can't count them. Or if your looking for a more comical answer that is in no way true nor makes any sense what so ever, I suggest you go to uncyclopedia.org. I particularly fancy the section on grues.

Loy · 07-24-2006, 02:50 AM

Feeble-the problem with Wikepedia is that most of the articles are submitted by people who log on, and aren't verified with sources for said information (as happened recently with a friend of mine who ended up having an article written about him). A lot of heresay, not enough verifying.

Think-A number of theories? Nice try in the "diverting attention from my mistakes" game, but it doesn't work.

As far as history is concerned....ummm, I actually tend to talk (and debate) history with a few college proffesors about history on a fairly regular basis. If I was confused about anything I said, I either wouldn't say it, or I'd start with "one thing that's been said....".

As for your comment about my "not being concerned with facts", I'd like to point out that A-the Discovery channel has flubbed on facts on quite a few occasions, and B-I care very much about facts. As you may not have gathered from other posts, one of the things that keeps me busy is editing a magazine. I have to verify facts before allowing a story to run (otherwise we have to deal with this little thing called "libel", which can cause a magazine that isn't making any money to shut down). So before you try insulting me, I suggest you make sure your comments are based on "fact".

And before spouting off stupid shit, I'd prefer you know how to spell first. Normally, I don't care if somebody on a computer board makes a few mispellings, but if you're gonna try to prove your intellectual authority over me, proper spelling and grammar would probably make that case a bit stronger. So far, you come across as a 16 year old know-it-all jackass who's been picked on one too many times, and who gets pissed off every time somebody provides a point of view that deviates slightly from theirs. I mean, I know that's what you are, but if you don't want anybody else to dismiss your viewpoint as much as I have, I'd suggest changing your tactic. I dismiss your views because they're ignorant and callous. Others will dismiss it because you're young and stupid. Either way, I don't care, but I figure I'd give you some pointers.

And an FYI-the Discovery channel thing was about the reason why people THOUGHT he had syphilis, but also pointed out later that he actually didn't. Next time, watch an entire documentary before commenting on it. It makes you look less of a moron.

Puppet Master · 07-27-2006, 04:09 AM

You learn somthing new everyday =/......that goes one of my resources of info (watch alot of discovery channel) >_<.

But if discovery channel are saying wrong info, surely there would be uproar and compaint?

Loy also I just have to know, when you said suicide commando did you imply me?
I know my beliefs can come across as moronic at times, but I do believe them very strongly, and does not automactically imply I am stupid. I am happly at uni, and also in england you have to serve your own petrol...so thats pme job oppurtunity gone for me sadly =/

Crying_Crimson_Tears · 08-05-2006, 12:39 PM

Well if it was a tumor that controlled him, I'm not so sure if there was something they could do about it. I also saw a Law and Order SVU episode that was like this. It makes it hard to take a side. I mean it the tumor affected his brain then there is nothing really anyone could do about the effects. It's like if you get a cold and you get a runny nose or something, you can't do anything about it except try to fix it.

Child_of_Fury · 08-05-2006, 01:28 PM

I think the best punishment for those who sexually abuse other people is to

a) if it's a male, cut his dick off and leave a hole or something so he can urinate

b) if it's a female, take away her womb and stuff and sew the right hole close.

There - no one killed, but the quilty are punished.

Opteron_Man · 12-10-2007, 04:46 PM

that might work Child_of_Fury!

AngelikDemonik · 12-10-2007, 04:57 PM

I say we bring back the code of Hammurabi. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. It's only fair...You kill someone's son? Your son gets killed.

Harsh? Sure. Effective? I'm going to go with "yes". If people know that their actions will lead to equal repercussions, most would probably stop all the stupid crap that they do. What's to fear with the current criminal justice system? Life in prison--You no longer have to pay rent, you get free meals, television, books, work-out equipment, free healthcare. The worst that could happen is getting ***** by a large man named Bubba.

I'm partially kidding....

silverbaal · 12-10-2007, 05:13 PM

Reminds me of Peter Kurten. The Dusseldorf Vampire. When his body was taken apart by scientist to diagnose his brain, it was found that the region responsible for decision-making (whatever that's called, again) was either totally missing or damaged. That's kinda frightening. So, that's like saying for almost every person who has done something extremely demented to another human being physically (hurting them with and without sexual intent), they must have some sort of crucial part of their mental makeup missing. That's very believable and it'd explain a lot.

heavilyrxmedicated · 12-10-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puppet Master

Is Suicide Commadno supposed to be me o_O?!

I support capital punishment, as if a being kills another, then in my opinion they have sacrificed there rights by taking the life of another, so as punishment should recieve death as they gave to there victems.

I dont know why this makes me a dipshit, its my personal opinion is my own, and if no one likes it I dont care.

Holy shit! I have NEVER seen more grammatical and spelling errors IN MY LIFE!!! YOU MEAN "THEIR"!!! T-H-E-I-R!!! VICTIMS! I'm putting asterisks around all of the grammatically incorrect and improperly spelled sections now... *modifying his quote*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puppet Master

*Is Suicide *Commadno* supposed to be me o_O*?!

I support capital punishment, *as if a being kills another, then in my opinion they have sacrificed *there* rights by taking the life of another, so as punishment should *recieve* death as they gave to *there* *victems**.

I dont know why this makes me a dipshit, *its my personal opinion is my own*, and if no one likes it I dont care.

LEARN TO SPELL, DAMNIT! I'M SICK OF THIS SHIT ONLINE! Plus, it makes you come off as unintelligent, or at the very least makes you come off as uncaring about what you are typing about.

I personally am against capital punishment, not that it matters.

Renatus · 12-10-2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heavilyrxmedicated

Holy shit! I have NEVER seen more grammatical and spelling errors IN MY LIFE!!! YOU MEAN "THEIR"!!! T-H-E-I-R!!! VICTIMS! I'm putting asterisks around all of the grammatically incorrect and improperly spelled sections now... *modifying his quote*

LEARN TO SPELL, DAMNIT! I'M SICK OF THIS SHIT ONLINE! Plus, it makes you come off as unintelligent, or at the very least makes you come off as uncaring about what you are typing about.

I personally am against capital punishment, not that it matters.

Again don't expect a response anytime soon. The last post before this thread was necroed was way back in 2006