A new study has found that antisocial people are more likely to have smaller areas their brain. Researchers said criminals' brains had a different structure to the brains people who followed the law. The study is published the journal "Lancet Psychiatry". Researchers used data 672 people born in 1972-73. They looked records of the people's antisocial behaviour between the ages seven and 26. At the age 45, the researchers scanned the people's brains. Eighty of the people had a history criminal and antisocial behaviour being early teenagers. Researchers found that the areas of the brain linked to emotions, motivation and behaviour control were smaller the long-term criminals' brains.
Professor Terrie Moffitt, a co-author the research, said the research could help doctors understand what is long-term antisocial behaviour. She said the antisocial people the study may have behaved badly because their brain structure. She said: "They are actually operating some [disability] at the level of the brain." She added that because this, we needed to care these people in a kinder way. Lead author Dr Christina Carlisi said: "Differences brain structure might make it difficult people to develop social skills. This may prevent them engaging in antisocial behaviour. These people could benefit more support their lives.
