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Aggressive, socially disruptive and antisocial behaviour associated with fronto-temporal dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

B. L. Miller ,
A. Darby ,
D. F. Benson ,
J. L. Cummings  and
M. H. Miller
B. L. Miller*
Affiliation:
UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
A. Darby
Affiliation:
UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
D. F. Benson
Affiliation:
UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
J. L. Cummings
Affiliation:
UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
M. H. Miller
Affiliation:
UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
*
B. L. Miller, Professor of Neurology, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, 1000 W. Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90509, USA. Fax: 310-618 1273
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Abstract

Background

Research suggests an association between frontal and temporal injury and antisocial conduct. We studied the frequency of antisocial behaviours in fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) where pathology is anterior frontal-temporal, compared with Alzheimer's disease (AD) where pathology is primarily posterior temporal-parietal.

Method

The presence of antisocial conduct was compared in 22 FTD versus 22 AD subjects. All FTD patients had anterior frontal or temporal hypoperfusion with single photon emission computed tomography, whereas those with AD had posterior temporal-parietal hypoperfusion.

Results

Ten FTD and one AD subject showed antisocial behaviours, which included assault, indecent exposure, shoplifting and hit-and-run driving. Three FTD subjects were arrested. This difference was highly significant (P = 0.004).

Conclusions

Degeneration of frontal and temporal lobes predisposes to antisocial behaviour. This study supports a relationship between frontal-temporal dysfunction and certain types of antisocial activities.

Information

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 170 , Issue 2 , February 1997 , pp. 150 - 155
Copyright
Copyright © 1997 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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