Child sexual offenders show prenatal and epigenetic alterations of the androgen system.

Child sexual offending (CSO) places a serious burden on society and medicine and pedophilia (P) is considered a major risk factor for CSO. The androgen system is closely linked to sexual development and behavior. This study assessed markers of prenatal brain androgenization, genetic parameters of androgen receptor function, epigenetic regulation, and peripheral hormones in a 2 × 2 factorial design comprising the factors Offense (yes/no) and Pedophilia (yes/no) in analyzing blood samples from 194 subjects (57 P+CSO, 45 P-CSO, 20 CSO-P, and 72 controls) matched for age and intelligence. Subjects also received a comprehensive clinical screening. Independent of their sexual preference, child sexual offenders showed signs of elevated prenatal androgen exposure compared with non-offending pedophiles and controls. The methylation status of the androgen receptor gene was also higher in child sexual offenders, indicating lower functionality of the testosterone system, accompanied by lower peripheral testosterone levels. In addition, there was an interaction effect on methylation levels between offense status and androgen receptor functionality. Notably, markers of prenatal androgenization and the methylation status of the androgen receptor gene were correlated with the total number of sexual offenses committed. This study demonstrates alterations of the androgen system on a prenatal, epigenetic, and endocrine level. None of the major findings was specific for pedophilia, but they were for CSO. The findings support theories of testosterone-linked abnormalities in early brain development in delinquent behavior and suggest possible interactions of testosterone receptor gene methylation and plasma testosterone with environmental factors.

Paraphilic Sexual Offenders Do Not Differ From Control Subjects With Respect to Dopamine- and Serotonin-Related Genetic Polymorphisms.

INTRODUCTION: Rape and pedophilic child molestation are the most commonly convicted sexual offenses in Poland. Recent studies have suggested a possible genetic contribution toward pathologic sexual interests and behaviors. AIM: To analyze and compare functional polymorphisms of genes associated with the activity of the serotonin and dopamine systems in a group of paraphilic sexual offenders and control subjects. METHODS: The study sample (n = 97) consisted of two groups: paraphilic sexual offenders (65 pedophilic child molesters and 32 rapists) and controls (n = 76). Genetic polymorphisms previously associated with behavioral control, addictive behaviors, and sexual functions were chosen for analyses. Specifically, functional polymorphisms in dopamine receptors genes (DRD1, DRD2, DRD4), catechol-O-methyltransferase gene (COMT), dopamine transporter gene (DAT), serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), serotonin type 2A receptor gene (5HTR2A), tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene (TPH2), monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: An association between a history of sexual offense and the distribution of genotypes and alleles in the analyzed polymorphisms. RESULTS: Our results found no association between a history of sexual offense and the distribution of genotypes or alleles in the analyzed polymorphisms. CONCLUSION: Although these results are limited by the small sample and are exploratory, they highlight a novel approach to sample selection in a population that is difficult to access and study. Future research should include larger samples and other relevant polymorphisms to advance this field of study.

Genetic Variants Associated With Male Pedophilic Sexual Interest.

INTRODUCTION: The etiology of sexual preference disorders (paraphilias) in general and pedophilia in particular remains unknown. There are some indications of biological factors related to pedophilic interest and pedophilic disorder. AIM: To examine single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) potentially associated with pedophilic sexual interest. METHODS: The sample consisted of 1,672 men 18 to 45 years old from the Genetics of Sex and Aggression sample who had submitted saliva samples. Fifty-four SNPs were genotyped and relevant SNPs were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A self-report questionnaire designed specifically for the Genetics of Sex and Aggression sample was used to measure sexual interest in and sexual behavior toward children and adolescents. DNA extraction and genotyping were used to measure possible associations between male pedophilia and SNPs. RESULTS: Before controlling for multiple testing, statistically significant associations were found for SNPs linked to androgen, estrogen, prolactin, corticotrophin, serotonin, and oxytocin. No associations remained significant after controlling for multiple testing. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest a complex biological mechanism affecting adult sexual interest in children. Very small effect sizes characterized the findings, and several polymorphisms related to different hormonal functioning were initially related to the phenotype.

Men's sexual interest in children: one-year incidence and correlates in a population-based sample of Finnish male twins.

In a study of 1,310 Finnish adult male twins we found that sexual interest in children aged 12 or younger was reported by 0.2% of the sample. Sexual interest in children aged 15 or younger was reported by 3.3%. Participants reporting sexual interest in children aged 15 or younger were younger, reported stronger sexual desire, and had experienced more childhood sexual and nonsexual abuse. The present study is the first to give a population-based estimate of the incidence of sexual interest in children among adult men. The 12-month incidence of sexual interest in children below the age of 16 years is roughly comparable to the one-year incidence of major depression or the lifetime prevalence of transvestitic fetishism.

Potential implications of research on genetic or heritable contributions to pedophilia for the objectives of criminal law.

In recent years, there has been increasing scientific research on possible genetic or heritable influences to the etiology of pedophilia, driven by national and public concerns about better understanding the disorder in order to reduce children's vulnerabilities to pedophilic and child sex offenders. This research has corresponded to growing academic dialogue on how advances in genetic research, especially concerning the causes and development of particular mental disorders or behaviors, may affect traditional practices of criminal law and how the justice system views, manages, and adjudicates different types of criminal behavior and offenders. This paper strives to supplement this dialogue by exploring several of the many possible effects and implications of research surrounding genetic or heritable contributions to pedophilia for the five widely accepted objectives that enforce and regulate the punishment of criminal law. These include retribution, incapacitation, deterrence, rehabilitation, and restoration. Although still currently in early stages, genetic and heritability research on the etiology of pedophilia may have the potential moving forward to influence the current and established punitive methods and strategies of how the justice system perceives, adjudicates, regulates, and punishes pedophilic and sex offenders, as well as how to best prevent sexual offending against children by pedophilic offenders in the future.

Cartografiando la pedofilia: eficacia de los tratamientos y estrategias futuras / No disponible

Para orientar el trabajo de los profesionales de la salud mental que trabajan con pedófilos se necesitan evaluaciones clínicas rigurosas que aporten evidencias de la eficacia de las intervenciones psicoterapéuticas y/o psicofarmacológicas. Con ese propósito, se revisan aquí distintos hallazgos obtenidos hasta hoy en el tratamiento de los pedófilos. Aunque los hallazgos son incipientes, la literatura científica sugiere ciertas anomalías en el neurodesarrollo asociadas a tal parafilia. También hay evidencia empírica que avala la eficacia del abordaje multimodal que combina los tratamientos cognitivo- conductuales usados con medidas psicosociales y/o jurídicas. Los avances que puedan producirse en la explicación etiológica de la pedofilia ayudarán en el futuro a adoptar programas de prevención y tratamiento más eficaces

To guide the work of mental health professionals who work with pedophiles rigorous clinical evaluations that provide evidence of the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions and / or psychopharmacological are needed. To that aim, here they are reviewed various actual findings in the treatment of pedophiles. While the findings are emerging, the scientific literature suggests certain neurodevelopmental abnormalities associated with such paraphilia . There is also empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of multimodal approach combining cognitive-behavioral treatments used with psychosocial and / or legal actions. The advances that may occur in the etiological explanation of pedophilia help in the future to adopt prevention programs and more effective treatment

Evidence for heritability of adult men's sexual interest in youth under age 16 from a population-based extended twin design.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual interest in children resembles sexual gender orientation in terms of early onset and stability across the life span. Although a genetic component to sexual interest in children seems possible, no research has addressed this question to date. Prior research showing familial transmission of pedophilia remains inconclusive about shared environmental or genetic factors. Studies from the domains of sexual orientation and sexually problematic behavior among children pointed toward genetic components. Adult men's sexual interest in youthfulness-related cues may be genetically influenced. AIM: The aim of the present study was to test whether male sexual interest in children and youth under age 16 involves a heritable component. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was responses in a confidential survey concerning sexual interest, fantasies, or activity pertaining to children under the age of 16 years during the previous 12 months. METHODS: The present study used an extended family design within behavioral genetic modeling to estimate the contributions of genetic and environmental factors in the occurrence of adult men's sexual interest in children and youth under age 16. Participants were male twins and their male siblings from a population-based Finnish cohort sample aged 21-43 years (N = 3,967). RESULTS: The incidence of sexual interest in children under age was 3%. Twin correlations were higher for monozygotic than for dizygotic twins. Behavioral genetic model fitting indicated that a model including genetic effects as well as nonshared environmental influences (including measurement error), but not common environmental influences, fits the data best. The amount of variance attributable to nonadditive genetic influences (heritability) was estimated at 14.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides the first indication that genetic influences may play a role in shaping sexual interest toward children and adolescents among adult men. Compared with the variance attributable to nonshared environmental effects (plus measurement error), the contribution of any genetic factors seems comparatively weak. Future research should address the possible interplay of genetic with environmental risk factors, such as own sexual victimization in childhood.

Pedofilia - considerações atuais

A pedofilia é um transtorno Mental caracterizado por fantasias e/ou pensamentos sexuaisintensos e sexualmente excitantes, por período igual ou superior a seis meses e que envolvam pessoas de até 12 anos de idade.A etiologia desse distúrbio permanece pouco esclarecida. Pesquisas atuais, entretanto, apontam alterações neurológicas, hormonais e psicodinâmicas envolvidas nessa gênese.Diminuição considerável do volume e da massa cinzenta da amídala direita, do hipotálamo bilateral, das regiões septais, da substância innominata e do núcleo da estria terminal foi observada em pedófilos.A ressonância magnética funcional de pedófilos revela que diversas regiões cerebrais são ativadas ou inibidas, durante a estimulação erótica visual.Observa-se aumento dos níveis de testosterona, especialmente naqueles pedófilos que apresentam conduta agressiva.História de abuso sexual e/ou emocional na infância é recorrente e contribui para a compreensão das causas da pedofilia.

[Hebephrenic symptoms as an expression of an XYY chromosome abnormality? Case report of a patient with suspected sexual abuse of his own 2 minor children]. / Hebephrene Symptomatik als Ausdruck einer XYY-Chromosomenanomalie? Kasuistik über einen Patienten mit Verdacht auf sexuellen Missbrauch zweier leiblicher, minderjähriger Kinder.

A 48 year old patient was hospitalised because of parasuicidal behaviour and suicidal ideation. He was under suspicion of having sexually abused his 4-year old daughter and his 4-year old son. At the age of 17, he was hospitalised in a psychiatric ward under the diagnosis of hebephrenic schizophrenia. He successfully received an insulin coma therapy. Because of his increased height (1.89 m), mental retardation and other psychical disorders in his youth, we now suspected him of having an extra Y chromosome which was confirmed by chromosome analysis. The non-uniform symptomatology of XYY-individuals includes a hebephrenic aspect. Concerning the different therapeutical and juridical consequences, we considered a critical investigation of the former diagnosis "Hebephrenic Schizophrenia".

Is there familial transmission of pedophilia?

A naturalistic, double-blind, family history comparison of sexual deviancy in the first degree relatives of inpatients with pedophilia and nonpedophilic paraphilia was done. Both proband groups were similar in demographic characteristics, except that pedophiles had a later onset of illness and were older during hospitalization. All patients were men. Sexual deviancy was found in 18.5 per cent of the families of paraphiliacs; only 3 per cent of a psychiatric control group had a family member with sexual deviancy. The preponderance of affected relatives were men. The types of sexual deviancy found in the families of the groups differed. Sexual deviancy among the pedophiles' families consisted of pedophilia. In families of nonpedophilic paraphiliacs, sexual deviancy was predominantly a paraphilia not involving children. These data suggest that pedophilia is familial; however, further studies are needed to delineate the manner of transmission. Nonetheless, pedophilia is found more frequently in families of pedophiles than in families of nonpedophilic paraphiliacs. This indicates specificity in the familial transmission. Thus pedophilia may be independent of the other paraphilias.

Inter-generational transmission of incest.

The majority of reported incest cases involve sexual relations between one generation and another, the most common being father-daughter incest. The increased availability of clinical data on incest has revealed an aspect of the problem that has received little attention in clinical literature. Incest can involve three generations in a family rather than two. It is possible for incest to be "transmitted" from one generation to the next through several patterns. In some cases, the mother in a family of father-daughter incest has herself been a victim of incest with her own father. With a history of unresolved incest with their own fathers, these women are unable to prevent an incest relationship between their husbands and daughters. Another pattern involves situations where the father in the father-daughter incest relationship has been the victim of father-son incest in his youth. The psychodynamics of these patterns of intergenerational transmission of incest are described, with clinical examples from the authors' work, as well as from the literature.