Temporal lobe deficits in murderers: EEG findings undetected by PET

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001 Fall;13(4):486-91. doi: 10.1176/jnp.13.4.486.

Abstract

This study evaluates electroencephalography (EEG) and positron emission tomography (PET) in the same subjects. Fourteen murderers were assessed by using both PET (while they were performing the continuous performance task) and EEG during a resting state. EEG revealed significant increases in slow-wave activity in the temporal, but not frontal, lobe in murderers, in contrast to prior PET findings that showed reduced prefrontal, but not temporal, glucose metabolism. Results suggest that resting EEG shows empirical utility distinct from PET activation findings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arousal / physiology*
  • Beta Rhythm
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • Brain Mapping
  • Delta Rhythm
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Homicide*
  • Humans
  • Insanity Defense
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Reference Values
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology*
  • Theta Rhythm
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose