The Neurobiology and Psychology of Pedophilia: Recent Advances and Challenges

Abstract

A pedophilic disorder is recognized for its impairment to the individual and for the harm it may cause to others. Pedophilia is often considered a side issue and research into the nature of pedophilia is delayed in comparison to research into other psychiatric disorders. However, with the increasing use of neuroimaging techniques, such as functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI, fMRI), together with neuropsychological studies, we are increasing our knowledge of predisposing and accompanying factors contributing to pedophilia development. At the same time, we are faced with methodological challenges, such as group differences between studies, including age, intelligence, and comorbidities, together with a lack of careful assessment and control of child sexual abuse. Having this in mind, this review highlights the most important studies investigating pedophilia, with a strong emphasis on (neuro-) biological studies, combined with a brief explanation of research into normal human sexuality. We focus on some of the recent theories on the etiology of pedophilia such as the concept of a general neurodevelopmental disorder and/or alterations of structure and function in frontal, temporal, and limbic brain areas. With this approach, we aim to not only provide an update and overview but also a framework for future research and to address one of the most significant questions of how pedophilia may be explained by neurobiological and developmental alterations.

Are There Any Biomarkers for Pedophilia and Sexual Child Abuse? A Review

“…However, these earlier studies did not distinguish between pedophilia and child sexual abuse. Recent reviews and meta-analyses investigating differences between individuals sexually oriented toward children and individuals sexually oriented toward adults revealed that their brain structures are very similar in nature (17,62,63). As indicated by two recent studies, aberrant neuroanatomy might rather be associated with child sexual abuse than with pedophilia (64,65).…”

“…In accordance with this research, the Integrated Theory of Sexual Offending (ITSO), as one theoretical approach to explain sexual offending, provides a framework including an interaction between neurobiological and ecological factors (16). With respect to pedophilia, Tenbergen et al proposed a conceptual neurodevelopmental framework, with pedophilia as a complex and multifactorial phenomenon, in which the influences of genetics, stressful life events, specific learning processes, as well as structural brain changes may generate the specific phenotype of child sexual preference (17). In our review, however, we will solely concentrate on biological parameters.…”

“…Pre-and perinatal factors are therefore, among others, important predictors of many later life outcomes, including but not limited to criminality and psychopathology. Also for pedophilia, a neurodevelopmental basis has been suggested [e.g., (17)]. Even though several biological parameters supporting this hypothesis have been identified, more research is needed to strengthen existing empirical evidence and to clarify specificity.…”

Evidence for superior neurobiological and behavioral inhibitory control abilities in non-offending as compared to offending pedophiles

“…To further the understanding of potential neural dysfunctions underlying pedophilia and/or CSO the assessment of neuroimaging methods may be of high relevance. However, up to now, studies addressing the neurobiological correlates in this regard are scarce and most of them showed inconsistent results [Mohnke et al, ; Tenbergen et al, ]. The only replicated finding is limited to an amygdala volume reduction in offending pedophiles [Poeppl et al, ; Schiffer et al, ; Schiltz et al, ], although other authors using more stringent type‐1 error correction did not corroborate this result [Cantor et al, ; Cantor et al, ; Gerwinn et al, ], suggesting insufficient effect sizes of the aberrant amygdala volume.…”

Pedophilic disorder and incest: a case report

“…No pathology was determined in cranial imaging, physical and neurological examinations in our patient, so organicity was ruled out. Some conditions which are believed to increase risk of pedophilic disorder development are summarized as prenatal androgen exposure, traumatic experiences during childhood (including sexual abuse), cranial trauma occurred before 13 years of age, low intelligent coefficient levels, decreased prefrontal and temporal inhibition, decreased volume in amygdala and hypothalamus (16). Traumatic experiences in childhood (sexual abuse) might be evaluated as the existent risk factor in our patient.…”