Citation

Tselis A, Booss J. J. Am. Acad. Psychiatry Law 2003; 31(3): 289-298.

Affiliation

Division of Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. atselis@med.wayne.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Publisher American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14584527

Abstract

Infections of the central nervous system can damage the brain and cause abnormal behavior. In this article, the authors examine how behavior is affected by damage to different parts of the brain. They then focus on damage caused by specific infections of the brain and how these can result in abnormal behavior with legal consequences. Examples of such infections include neurosyphilis, encephalitis lethargica, herpes simplex encephalitis, and various other viral encephalitides, both acute and chronic. The AIDS dementia complex, which results from HIV infection of the brain, causes behavioral abnormalities in addition to motor and cognitive impairments. In some cases of violence and other criminal behavior, this can be a consequence of central nervous system infection, and the authors suggest that criminal sanctions in such events are inappropriate in the absence of volitional criminal intent.

Language: en