Abstract
Anterior brain asymmetry, assessed through the alpha and beta band in resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) is associated with approach-related behavioral dispositions, particularly with aggression in the general population. To date, the association between frontal asymmetry and aggression has not been examined in highly aggressive groups. We examined the topographic characteristics of alpha and beta activity, the relation of both asymmetry metrics to trait aggression, and whether alpha asymmetry was extreme in anterior regions according to clinical standards in a group of imprisoned violent offenders. As expected, these individuals were characterized by stronger right than left-hemispheric alpha activity, which was putatively extreme in anterior regions in one third of the cases. We also report that in line with observations made in the general population, aggression was associated with stronger right-frontal alpha activity in these violent individuals. This suggests that frontal alpha asymmetry, as a correlate of trait aggression, might be utilizable as an outcome measure in studies which assess the effects of anti-aggressiveness training in violent offenders.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 191-195 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Neuroscience Letters |
| Volume | 515 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2 2012 |
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Keywords
- Aggression
- Alpha asymmetry
- Approach-withdrawal
- Beta asymmetry
- EEG
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
Cite this
Prefrontal brain asymmetry and aggression in imprisoned violent offenders. / Keune, Philipp M.; van der Heiden, Linda; Várkuti, Bálint; Konicar, Lilian; Veit, Ralf; Birbaumer, Niels.
In: Neuroscience Letters, Vol. 515, No. 2, 02.05.2012, p. 191-195.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Prefrontal brain asymmetry and aggression in imprisoned violent offenders
AU - Keune, Philipp M.
AU - van der Heiden, Linda
AU - Várkuti, Bálint
AU - Konicar, Lilian
AU - Veit, Ralf
AU - Birbaumer, Niels
PY - 2012/5/2
Y1 - 2012/5/2
N2 - Anterior brain asymmetry, assessed through the alpha and beta band in resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) is associated with approach-related behavioral dispositions, particularly with aggression in the general population. To date, the association between frontal asymmetry and aggression has not been examined in highly aggressive groups. We examined the topographic characteristics of alpha and beta activity, the relation of both asymmetry metrics to trait aggression, and whether alpha asymmetry was extreme in anterior regions according to clinical standards in a group of imprisoned violent offenders. As expected, these individuals were characterized by stronger right than left-hemispheric alpha activity, which was putatively extreme in anterior regions in one third of the cases. We also report that in line with observations made in the general population, aggression was associated with stronger right-frontal alpha activity in these violent individuals. This suggests that frontal alpha asymmetry, as a correlate of trait aggression, might be utilizable as an outcome measure in studies which assess the effects of anti-aggressiveness training in violent offenders.
AB - Anterior brain asymmetry, assessed through the alpha and beta band in resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) is associated with approach-related behavioral dispositions, particularly with aggression in the general population. To date, the association between frontal asymmetry and aggression has not been examined in highly aggressive groups. We examined the topographic characteristics of alpha and beta activity, the relation of both asymmetry metrics to trait aggression, and whether alpha asymmetry was extreme in anterior regions according to clinical standards in a group of imprisoned violent offenders. As expected, these individuals were characterized by stronger right than left-hemispheric alpha activity, which was putatively extreme in anterior regions in one third of the cases. We also report that in line with observations made in the general population, aggression was associated with stronger right-frontal alpha activity in these violent individuals. This suggests that frontal alpha asymmetry, as a correlate of trait aggression, might be utilizable as an outcome measure in studies which assess the effects of anti-aggressiveness training in violent offenders.
KW - Aggression
KW - Alpha asymmetry
KW - Approach-withdrawal
KW - Beta asymmetry
KW - EEG
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84859775970&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.neulet.2012.03.058
DO - 10.1016/j.neulet.2012.03.058
M3 - Article
VL - 515
SP - 191
EP - 195
JO - Neuroscience Letters
JF - Neuroscience Letters
SN - 0304-3940
IS - 2
ER -