Neural mechanisms underlying pedophilia and sexual offending against children:
origins, assessment, and therapies

Medical Academy Hannover
Center for Mental Health
Clinic for Psychiatry, Sociopsychiatry and Psychotherapy
Research Group Clinical Psychology and Sexual Medicine
Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1
30625 Hannover
Head: Prof. Dr. Tillmann Krüger

Contact:
probanden_hannover@nemup.de

The proposal of Hannover Medical School addresses research on the neurobiological differences between pedophilic and non-pedophilic offenders as well as pedophilic and non-pedophilic non-offenders. The interaction of psychological, neuropsychological, endocrinological, (epi-) genetic, and brain structural and functional factors will be addressed. Additionally, the receptor profiles of the serotonergic and dopaminergic transmitter system within the central nervous system will be investigated using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) to explore whether there are changes in functionality of the neurotransmitter system in the sexual preference of pedophilia and/or the behavior of committing child sexual abuse.