Psychopaths have 'distinctly different' brains to other people, study finds

Those with higher scores had significantly smaller brain volume in areas including the basal ganglia(Image: Getty)

A ground breaking study has revealed that psychopaths have distinct brain structures that set them apart from the general population, providing a new understanding of the darker aspects of human psychology.

According to experts published in Springer Nature, the research sheds light on the neurobiology underlying aggression and violent behaviour, confirming long-held suspicions about the link between brain volume and psychopathic traits.

The study, which examined the "dark personality" triad, found significant differences in brain volume and structure, particularly in areas related to emotion, decision-making, and behavioural control.

The Psychopathy Check-List was used to assess the participants' psychopathic tendencies.

Notably, the brainstem and cerebellum, which regulate coordination and movement, showed reduced volume, as did the orbitofrontal and insular regions, which are crucial for emotional regulation and social interaction.

These findings suggest that the neural circuits responsible for controlling behaviour may be underdeveloped or impaired in individuals with psychopathic tendencies.

The study also found that traits like pathological lying and lack of empathy, referred to as "interpersonal-affective" aspects, were not as strongly correlated with brain structure as antisocial behavioural traits.

Overall, the research revealed significantly lower brain volume in individuals with psychopathic tendencies.

The study indicates what the researchers have termed a "widespread disturbance of brain development" in individuals exhibiting psychopathic traits.

They deduced that there is "a particularly strong neurobiological link between antisocial behaviour and reduced brain volume across widespread regions.", reports the Express.

However, the authors did acknowledge certain limitations, such as the use of varying MRI scanners, which was statistically accounted for, and the fact that participants were not matched for cognitive ability or substance use-both factors that could potentially impact results.

Nonetheless, this research represents a significant advancement in comprehending the biology of violent and antisocial behaviour, with future studies likely to investigate whether these brain differences are genetic or influenced by environmental factors.