Paedophilia a result of faulty wiring, scientists suggest

Last updated at 15:54 28 November 2007

Paedophilia may be caused by faulty wiring in the brain, a controversial study suggests.

Scientists came to the conclusion after comparing the brain scans of child molesters and non-sexual criminals.

They found that convicted paedophiles had significantly less "white matter" in their brains.

White matter is composed of message-carrying nerve fibres, as opposed to the nerve cell bodies which make up "grey matter". It is what wires different parts of the brain together.

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brain scan

The findings, published in the Journal of Psychiatry Research, challenge the popular belief that paedophilia is triggered by childhood trauma or abuse.

But according to the Canadian scientist who led the research, it does not let paedophiles off the hook.

Dr James Cantor, from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, said: "There is nothing in this research that says paedophiles shouldn't be held criminally responsible for their actions.

"Not being able to choose your sexual interests doesn't mean you can't choose what you do."

Previous research from the same team has strongly hinted that brain development may hold the key to paedophilia.

Paedophiles tend to have low IQs, are three times more likely than average to be left handed, and are often of short stature.

The scientists are calling for more research to be conducted on the way the brain governs sexual interests. Such information may yield strategies for preventing the development of paedophilia, they argue.

A total of 127 men took part in the study comprising equal numbers of paedophiles and non-sexual offenders.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans were taken of the men's brains and analysed by computer.