Citation

Boes AD, Grafft AH, Joshi C, Chuang NA, Nopoulos P, Anderson SW. BMC Neurol. 2011; 11: e151.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group - BMC)

DOI

10.1186/1471-2377-11-151

PMID

22136635

PMCID

PMC3265436

Abstract

BACKGROUND: A detailed behavioral profile associated with focal congenital malformation of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) has not been reported previously. Here we describe a 14 year-old boy, B.W., with neurological and psychiatric sequelae stemming from focal cortical malformation of the left vmPFC.
CASE PRESENTATION: B.W.'s behavior has been characterized through extensive review Patience of clinical and personal records along with behavioral and neuropsychological testing. A central feature of the behavioral profile is severe antisocial behavior. He is aggressive, manipulative, and callous; features consistent with psychopathy. Other problems include: egocentricity, impulsivity, hyperactivity, lack of empathy, lack of respect for authority, impaired moral judgment, an inability to plan ahead, and poor frustration tolerance.
CONCLUSIONS: The vmPFC has a profound contribution to the development of human prosocial behavior. B.W. demonstrates how a congenital lesion to this cortical region severely disrupts this process.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Child; Child, Preschool; Male; Adolescent; Seizures; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Suicidal Ideation; Neuropsychological Tests; Aggression; Anxiety Disorders; Bipolar Disorder; Antisocial Personality Disorder; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Prefrontal Cortex; Intelligence Tests; Brain Diseases; Brain Mapping; Functional Laterality