Research Finds Psychopathic Individuals Are More Likely to Have a Larger Striatum Region in the Brain

Neuroscientists have found that a region of the forebrain known as the striatum was on average 10% larger in individuals with psychopathy compared to a control group of individuals who had low or no psychopathic traits, according to a study. “Our study’s results help advance our knowledge about what underlies antisocial behaviour such as psychopathy,” said Olivia Choy, PhD, an Asst Prof at NTU, in the press release.

“We find that in addition to social environmental influences, it is important to consider that there can be differences in biology—in this case, the size of brain structures—between antisocial and non-antisocial individuals.” Earlier research has suggested that psychopaths may have an overly active striatum but has not conclusively determined the impact of its size on behaviours. The new study, conducted by researchers at NTU, the University of Pennsylvania, and California State University, reveals a significant biological difference between individuals who have psychopathic traits and those who do not.

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